NORTH Watford's Adam Bowden has followed up on his recent success in the South of England Junior Athletics Championship with his first ever victory in the British League.

Representing Harrow, the 18-year-old Watford College student won the 3,000 metres steeplechase at Woodside on Sunday in a Division Two fixture.

Bowden led from the start and although he came home ahead in a time of 9.16.7, he failed to achieve the qualification time for the Junior European Championships taking place later in the year.

However, he will have another chance to achieve the qualifying time of 8.55 at the lightning fast Mannheim track in Germany on Friday, June 15.

Watford Harriers dropped to seventh place in the Southern Mens League after finishing second in their match at Norman Park in Bromley on Saturday.

Simon Whittingham was forced to compete in six events because of an understrength team and won both the 110 metres hurdles and and high jump in difficult conditions.

The experienced Chris Wood was also forced to take on extra events and did well to gain second place in the 800 metres, third place in the 1500 metres and fourth place in the 400 metres.

The recent injury problems which have hampered Matt Adcock seem to be clearing as he won the 5000 metres and the 'B' string steeplechase.

Eighteen-year-old Luke Nicholls came second in his specialist event, the longjump, and also performed well to finish runner up in the 100 metres and 200 metres.

The result leaves Harriers struggling as they seek their fourth successive promotion and must win their next fixture at Woodside on Saturday, June 23 if they are to have a realistic chance of going up.