(Picture by Steve Sarre, 0350402)

THE Sportingbet Channel Islands Athletics Club men face an uphill battle to avoid relegation in the national league after a combination of injuries and absentees saw them once again finish last in Saturday’s penultimate meeting.

They are now bottom of British Athletics League Division Three and need to finish no lower than second in the final meeting if they are to retain their place next season.

However, CIAC coach Andrew Winnie believes that although it will be a tough task, it is not beyond the men provided they can field their strongest team for the deciding match in a fortnight.

‘Survival in this division is going to be difficult now, but if we can field the likes of Lee Merrien and Steve Dawes for the final meeting, and with Tom Druce coming back to full fitness, we are in with a shout,’ he said.

‘Some of the other teams I don’t believe will field a full-strength team for the last meeting, which has been our problem this year. If we can have all our big guns fit, then we could at least finish the season on a high.’