WORCESTER Athletic Club's Anna Simmonds is closing on the big time after racing alongside the likes of Kelly Sotherton and Helen Karagounis.

Simmonds, 19, won the Midland County Championship 800 metres at Perry Barr, Birmingham, in a fast two minutes, 9.7 seconds.

She then represented Midland Counties a week later at the same venue, finishing second in 2:07:01 which was her best time to date.

But the Worcester Sixth Form College student smashed her personal best again in a UK Club League meet at Birchfield, ending up third after clocking 2:05:76.

The teenager then took a big step up in class when partnering Sotherton, Karagounis and Sunita Gum in the 4x4 relay team.

After taking the baton from Sotherton, Simmonds ran a fine leg before handing over to Karagounis as the team eventually won the relay.

Meanwhile, Worcester Athletic Club's men's team continued their dominance of the Midland veterans track and field.

They convincingly won both the opening league meetings in their quest to retain the league title for the 15th time in the last 16 years.

Nine clubs -- Birchfield Harriers, Tipton, Bromsgrove and Redditch, Sparkhill, Halesowen, West Bromwich, Dudley and Stourbridge, Droitwich and Kidderminster and Stourport --compete in the league.

The third and penultimate meeting is at Nunnery Wood track on Thursday from 7.15pm and all spectators are welcome to watch.

Team, 100m: Stuart Fountain, Marc Flannery, Laurence Oldfield; 2,000m walk: Les Scrivens, John Marshall; 400m: Michael Gardiner, Richard White, Laurence Oldfield; 1,500m: Ivan Pawluk, Andy Peach, Stuart Halion; medley relay: Oldfield, Fountain, Gardiner, White; high jump: Flannery, Dave Hope; triple jump: Phil Goddard, Roger King; discus: Flannery; hammer, shot and discus: King.

Worcester's women's team will also be taking part, but have been weakened by the absence of several of their regular competitors.

They currently hold fourth position behind Bromsgrove and Redditch, Dudley and Stourbridge and Birchfield Harriers.

With home advantage and a strong line-up, a top-two place is in prospect.

Team: Deirdre Elmhurst, Ros Townsend-Hope, Gill Repton, Jane Rowland, Maggie Johnson, Pam Price, Sian Jones, Hellen Elliott, Jane Nicol, Pat Carpenter, Deborah Hodson.