BLACKBURN Harriers Northern Men's Team kick started their season at Witton Park on Saturday with a performance that might just keep them in Division One.

Last season's promotion brought them their highest league status in two decades, but in their first two matches they have finished bottom of three each time.

Saturday's second place behind Hull, but ahead of relegation rivals Rotherham, gives them real hope of survival with one fixture left.

The heroes of the day were the throwers who scooped four wins.

Mark Haydock and veteran Mike Hazlewood won the 'A' and 'B' hammer with respective distances of 43.29m and 32.11m, and Haydock doubled up with victory in the 'A' discus with 36.85m.

Meanwhile Mark Birchall was second in the javelin as he added to his win in the long jump.

On the track the 3000m steeplechase was the highlight as Liam Barton and Phil Hall scored maximum points with times of 10:16.4 and 10:55.6.

Hall also took the 'B' 800m in 2:07.2 and Chris Perry's 58.9secs was good enough to win the 'A' 400m hurdles. High jumper Andy Gabriel cleared 1.65m but was beaten into second on countback.

Pendle edged ahead of Burnley in the battle for promotion from Division Three of the Northern Men's League when they won the third round at Wigan on Saturday.

The clubs have finished first and second in both previous fixtures with Burnley having won at Stockport, and Pendle tasting victory on home soil.

The margin this time was 34 points as Pendle backed nine wins with no fewer than twelve second places.

Top of the pile was David Thornton, the 'A' string winner in both the 400m and 800m with respective times of 52.3 and 2:03.3.

He was also a member of the 4x400 relay team which finished second.

Keith Kong was a double 'B' winner with 21.3 in the 110m hurdles and 4.96m in the long jump while Chris Fishlock in the 5000m and David Read in the javelin were 'A' string winners.

In the sprints, the honours were shared between the two clubs with Pendle's Nick Taylor taking the 100m 'A' and Burnley's Danny Whittaker winning the 200m 'A'.

The pair finished 1-2 each time, but the moral victory went to Burnley who won the sprint relay. Whittaker also took the 'B' triple jump.

Chris Green and David Stevenson were also heavy scorers for the men from Barden.

Green took the 'B' 200m and 'A' triple jump and showed his versatility with second in the 'A' shot and 'A' javelin.

Hurdler Stephenson was second over both distances.

Meanwhile the ever-reliable Colin Bailey chipped in with wins in the 'A' long jump and 'B' pole vault.

Rossendale Harriers are fighting to avoid relegation for the second year running, and their fifth place at Cleckheaton will not enhance their chances of avoiding the drop from Division Four.

Even an appearance by on leave soldier Chris White could not lift the team towards safety.

Chris won the 'A' 400m in 54.3 and was second in the 800m in 2:02, but Team Manager Rod Graham feels that this division is tougher than it was two years ago when the Harriers were last there.

"Athletes are setting PB's but are still only finishing third, fourth or fifth" he said.

Chris Walsh took seconds in the 'B' 800m and 1500m while Steve Duxbury, Richard Sutcliffe and Gavin Barker all scored valuable points.