Sprint queen Attard in record groove

The Combined Team, representing the small states of Europe in the European Cup Second League, had promised a fine fare in Serbia when the entry forms were submitted some weeks ago.

The registration for both teams had promised a full field with most athletes being provided by Malta (the team selector).

Athletes from San Marino, Luxembourg and Malta were in the women's team and the men's squad included track and fielders from Malta, Liechtenstein and San Marino.

Unfortunately, some of the Maltese, whose performances were considered to be below par at the time, relinquished their place on the men's team with the result that with other selected athletes from other countries failing to turn up, the Combined Team missed out on useful points, consequently finishing last out of 12 nations.

They only gathered a total of 43 points compared to top team Bulgaria who claimed the honours with 201 points.

The women's team was more of a success story. Two Maltese records were established as the Combined Team finished in a mid-table position among 11 nations, gaining 106 points.

Cyprus were the winners here with 186.5 points, securing promotion in the process.

The 4 x 100m all-Malta quartet, composed of Angie Mangion, Therese Mallia, Charlene Attard and Diane Borg, stopped the clock on 46.50 seconds, to better the record established last year in Andorra when the same foursome lapped the stadium in 47.21.

On the final day, Attard shattered the 200m Open and Junior time of 24.92 seconds set by Celine Pace a couple of years ago when in a slight headwind she placed fourth overall in a new mark of 24.56 seconds.

Attard is now the undisputed sprint queen having claimed both the 60m and 200m indoor records earlier this year, in Moscow, and the 100m outdoor title last Spring at Marsa.

Gilford's fine show

Another event of note in Novi Sad last weekend was Darren Francis Gilford's second placing in the 100m where he repeated his seasonal best time of 10.66 seconds.

There was also the year's best time of 22.15 in the 200m recorded by vintage Mario Bonello and the 12.21 of the upcoming Borg in the women's 100m.

Two girls from Luxembourg partnered Borg and Attard in Novi Sad for the 4 x 400m relay.

They finished second in a time of 3 minutes 52 seconds.