IEUAN Thomas defended his 1500m title, triple jumper Macey Jones claimed a maiden senior gold medal and there was a surprise silver for sprinter Mica Moore at this year’s Welsh Championships in Cardiff.

The Gwent trio were ably supported by Newport Harriers triumvirate Daniel Cork (shot put), Abed Teweldebrhan (5000m) and Chloe Powell (5000m) who also secured silvers.

More success for the region came in the shape of Gabrielle Fakande, a 200m bronze medallist just ahead of fellow Gwent sprinter Caitlyn Mapps.

Jones, who hails from Pontypool, just like Thomas, had previously won silver at the championships when finishing behind Cardiff AAC’s Sian Swanson in 2017.

However, roles were reversed this time around, with Jones’ best effort of 11.30m a mere eight centimetres better than Swanson’s 11.22m.

Swanson had to settle for second, as she did 12 months ago, while Jones Swansea Harriers clubmate Charlotte Campion was third with a leap of 10.93m.

“I’ve had a busy year starting university but I’m finally getting back to my original form,” said Cardiff Met student Jones, who turns 19 on Thursday.

“I’m so pleased with my gold medal, and now I’m looking forward to my next competition.”

As for Thomas, he is best known for his exploits in the 3000m steeplechase – he competed in the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships in that event.

But the middle-distance ace has shown he is a fierce competitor on the flat too, taking Welsh Championships 1500m gold in Cardiff in 2018.

Back in the Welsh capital this year, Thomas again demonstrated his versatility on the track, leading home a Cardiff AAC one-two-three as he successfully defended his crown.

A clocking of 3:49.27mins put him on the top step of the podium ahead of Rowan Axe and Ben Reynolds.

Bassaleg’s Moore played down her chances of a medal going into the event, but the 2017 100m champion picked the ideal time to deliver a season’s best of 11.85secs.

The 2018 Winter Olympian was the second fastest qualifier for the final behind Bristol & West’s Hannah Williams.

And the final went with the form book, Williams edging out Moore by 0.007secs to get gold, Issie Tustin was fourth but won bronze as the third Welsh athlete home.

“If you’d told me last year I’d be happy with a second at the Welsh Championships I’d have disagreed with you,” said Moore.

“But if you told me four months ago I’d come second at the Welsh Championships I wouldn’t have believed you.

“I’m so happy to be back running pain free. I suffered really badly with bad Achilles tendinitis through the indoor season and the beginning of the outdoor season, so I’m grateful to have been competitive in the final.

“Hannah’s running really well this year and deserved the win, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the season and getting a good block of training in this winter.”

Meanwhile, Teweldebrhan finished on the podium for a fourth successive Welsh Championships, but that prized gold still eludes him.

The Newport man, who came in second, third and second in 2016 (5000m), 2017 (5000m) and 2018 (3000m), had to settle for another silver in a 5000m dominated by Swansea’s Kris Jones.

Jones crossed the line some 25 seconds ahead of the runner-up, Teweldebrhan posting 15:16.01mins.

Only two athletes entered in the women’s race as Powell bagged silver three minutes behind Lucy Marland of Cardiff.

In the shot put, Cornwall’s Patrick Swan denied Cork the gold with his last throw of the competition.

Cork had led after sending the shot out to 15.77m, before Swan swooped to claim the title with an effort of 16.12m.

Finally, former Cwmbran Harriers sprinter Gabrielle Fakande sped to third place in the 200m, beating Mapps by 0.15secs.