SOME of the area's biggest sports stars experienced the highs and the lows associated with top-class action this week.

There was elation for powerlifters Lee Steggles and Phil Randall who triumphed in their categories at the British Powerlifting Championships at the weekend.

At the same event Brendan Jaynes and Paul Newell were also celebrating after they both registered best-ever performances. But there was a major upset when European champion Neil Arnold crashed out of the contest after suffering what at first looked a horrific injury.

On Monday night, all eyes turned to Manchester to see if Durrington athlete Kelly Morgan could bring home a gold medal in the women's javelin.

The 22-year-old was favourite to win the competition after her recent record-breaking performances, but things did not go to plan for the Army clerk who, as well as being troubled by her problematic right shoulder, was bed-bound prior to the contest because of a chest infection.

Throws of over 64 metres had propelled Kelly into the glare of the national spotlight.

But her opening throw of 57.09m was as good as it got in the Commonwealth Stadium where only a month earlier she had announced her arrival on the world stage with a throw of 63.03m.