THE English Institute of Sport in Sheffield saw the Amateur Athletics Association's National Indoor Athletic Trials.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club executive Melinda Cooksey was competing in two events, the 200 metres and 60m sprints during the two-day competition.

The 200m competitors lined up into heats and a final.

Cooksey, in the first heat, was up against one of GB's top female sprinters, Joyce Mad- uaka. The Worcester girl's time of 24.47 seconds was good enough for a place in the final - the first national final she has reached during her senior career.

In the final, Cooksey was drawn in lane two and it was probably due to this that the time and position did not reflect the effort of her performance.

The sprinter was a little disappointed, but to finish fifth in your first national final was no mean feat.

"I'm happy to have made my first senior national final but am slightly disappointed in the times.

"I feel my training has been going well and felt I could have gone quicker and finished higher.

"I have just managed to gain sponsorship from ACO (Technologies) and must thank them for helping me. I hope to reward them with some top performances throughout the season."

The following day was an early start for the 60m sprinters with the women warming up for the 60m heats at 8.30am.

Once again Cooksey was drawn in the first heat and finished a creditable fourth.

There was then a wait while the other four heats took place to see if she qualified for a place in the semi-finals.

Cooksey's time proved enough for a semi-final spot and she was pitted against GB's quickest 60m runner this year, Jeanette Kwakye, but she just missed out on a place in the final.

"I've made another national semi-final, which is good, but my aims are much higher and feel a final spot could have been mine so am a little disappointed," said Cooksey.

"But it's only February and the track season lasts until September, so I have plenty of time."