Powerlifting: A QUARTET of Salisbury powerlifters tasted success at the opening competition of the 2003 season, writes Mike Turner.

Lee Steggles, Neil Arn-old, Paul Newell and Bren-dan Jaynes all secured top three finishes in their respective classes at the South East Champion-ships at the Thames Valley Athletics Centre in Eton.

Women's world number two Lee Steggles was taken aback somewhat by clinching first place in the 67kg section after registering a 450kg total.

"I've not really pushed myself so far this year, so I was delighted to get in eight out of eight lifts," said Lee, who, like the rest of the city's lifters, is in training for this summer's British Championships which are again being held at Bournemouth's BIC.

"I really surprised myself with an 180kg squat and I wasn't really expecting a 450kg total," she added.

Up and coming star Paul Newell continued to imp-ress in the 90kg category.

A personal best squat and deadlift helped him record his best ever competitive total. He secured second place with 730kg and signalled he is ready to enjoy his best year yet in the sport.

"I've trained hard and what I've been lifting in training suggested I'd be somewhere around the 730kg mark," said Newell.

"I was just testing the water last year so it'd be nice if I could keep on like this and perhaps pick up a top three finish at the British Championships."

Brendan Jaynes bagged second place in the 100kg class with a total of 690kg while Neil Arnold, who like Steggles, is easing himself into competitive action after last year's World Championships in Finland, was satisfied with a 672.5kg total which gave him third place in the 82.5kg class.

"Considering I've been suffering from a flu bug and was close to pulling out of the event, I'm pleased with the way things went," said Arnold.