Croydon Harriers men's team sealed a surprise runners-up spot in the British League Plate Final in Derby.

In their first appearance in the competition final in more than 25 years, Croydon stood toe to toe against some of the best non British League clubs in the UK.

James Eccles kicked off proceeding in the 110m hurdles finishing fourth, before timely wins from Peter Chambers (3,000m, 9 minutes, 11.52 seconds) and Paul Ogun (long jump, 6.92m) put the Harriers into the mix.

David White (1,500m, 4:19.34) and Scott Fanner (400m, 54.25s) kept the points ticking along with fourths before a flood of podium finishes came in the late afternoon mainly courtesy of the sprinters.

Afam Obi-Adewole finished second in the 200m in 22.64s and Patrick Lucas took second when he was narrowly edged out in a tactical 800m in 2:00.81.

Discus specialist Omar Reid triumphed in his senior bow, thanks to a fourth round effort of 38.64m.

In the 100m, hopes of seeing Olympic semi-finalist and club record holder James Dasaolu were dashed when a reoccurring niggle in his warm-up forced him to withdraw before the race began.

Kyle Andrews valiantly stepped in at the last minute and finished a gallant second in 11.51s.

With the team third out of eight heading into the final medley relay event of the day (2x200m then 2x400m), Croydon needed to beat Stevenage by two clear places to leapfrog them into second.

The quartet of Edwards-Whittle, Fanner, Lucas and Afam Obi-Adewole delivered the goods and won the race in 2:32.69, with Stevenage back in fifth to ensure of runners-up spot overall.

Final Result: Chesterfield 91, Croydon 86, Stevenage 84, Bingley 67, Lincoln Wellington 65, Newport 47, Bexley 0, Brighton 0.