Winter is content with his opening indoor success

GARETH Winter opened his indoor season with victory in the senior men's shot putt at the Avon Athletics Network Christmas Open meeting at Bath University.

The 19-year-old Gloucester AC junior international, who is coached by Lorraine Shaw, threw 15.15m in a gentle opener ahead of the serious competitions that will kick-off in the new year.

Winter is planning a busy indoor campaign and has pencilled in major competitions including the England Championships and World trials.

"The target is to try and throw 16.30m indoors and then 17 metres outdoors next summer," said Shaw.

Three members of Gloucester AC turned out for the annual December Five Mile road race around Quedgeley and Hardwicke in aid of funds for the local Methodist Church roof.

First home for the club in third overall was Vet 45 Dave Gresswell, who again showed he is starting to regain his form of the summer months.

Gresswell's time of 30 minutes, 20 seconds showed there is still plenty of hard work ahead.

Someone who was very happy with his time was Matt Powell, who finished sixth overall in a massive personal best time of 30.54.

Powell has been struggling in cross-country races recently, and he too will be getting down to some hard work over the coming weeks in an attempt to reproduce this speed.

The third team member was Vet 50 Mike Anderton, who finished in a comfortable 46.55 for 54th place.