Danniel Thomas - Ian Allen

A huge blow seemed destined to be on the cards for title favourites Edwin Allen after discus thrower Sasha-Gaye Marston, tipped to easily take the event, failed to make it to the final. However, the Frankfield-based team was bailed out by Danniel Thomas, who used her final throw to win the Class 1 event.

Thomas, the former Frome Technical athlete, cast herself in the role of hero after throwing 44.29 to not only spare Edwin's blushes but earn the school valuable points. St Hugh's High's Devene Brown was second with 42.82 metres as St Jago High's Fayon Gonzales finished third with 42.51 metres.

After seeing her teammate failing to advance to the finals. Thomas was happy to pick up the slack.

something special

"The win meant a lot for me and my team as after seeing Sasha not making it to the final I told myself that I had to do something special, when she left the circle she told me to go for it, that helped to motivate me as I wanted to do well in my first year at the school and ensure that we got on the board with some points," said a tearful Thomas. The athlete believed she had fouled her last throw after being in eighth position.

In yesterday's other finals for the girls, Vere Technical's Sabina Allen had a surprise win in the triple jump open with a wind aided 12.63 metres to get the better of St Jago High's Avril McGhee (12.58) and Camperdown High's Nickeava Wilson.

With the completion of two finals on the girls side, St Jago are leaders with 19 points. Behind them are Vere Technical, 15, Edwin Allen and St Hugh's on 9 each, Holmwood Technical, 7 , Camperdown High, 6, Manchester High, 5, and St Elizabeth Technical (4).

Yesterday also saw first round action in several events for the girls. In the 400 metres hurdles Holmwood Technical's Janieve Russell and Edwin Allen's Ristananna Tracey led the way with the two fastest times going into tomorrow's final. Russell, the Carifta Trials Under-20 winner, won heat one in 59.38 seconds to lead home Vere Technical's Olivia James, who was second in 59.86. Favourite for the event, Tracey looked easy in winning her heat in 59.44 seconds, as Vere Technical Rushell Clayton was second in 61.39 seconds.

Top teams Holmwood and Edwin Allen have also seen their top two athletes qualifying well for today's 800 metres semi-finals in all classes. Defending champions Holmwood also suffered a major blow as hurdler Osheen Erskine, a favourite to win the Class 2 event picked up a hamstring injury.