Ross Hanley won a superb silver medal in the under-17 triple jump at the area championships. (0636309)

Both athletes won silver medals to underline their great potential and GIAAC development officer Dale Garland was delighted with the pair.

‘If Ross can get close to 14 metres he will be close to winning a national medal,’ said Garland, who was in that territory himself at a similar age.

On Marsh’s performance he reckoned that with more specific jumping training he, too, can go further.

‘He is nowhere near his potential. He’s got a lot of talent and could jump a long way.’

Hanley, 16, who went along to last year’s Natwest Island Games largely for experience, posted a very creditable 13.45 metres to finish just six centimetres adrift of the champion, Dacorum & Tring’s Bradley Pike, in the under-17 triple jump.

He also went in the long jump and from an entry of 16 he placed seventh with a best effort of 5.93m.

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