Central ACs Coirilidh Cook claimed a slot in the final as she competed in the England age group championships in Sheffield.

The 14-year-old from Balfron went into the 60m hurdles event on February 25 in confident mood unbeaten this season after winning the Scottish schools title earlier in the month.

However, the event which is the UK championships in all but name, would provide a stiffer challenge as all the athletes in the top 10 in the UK were competing.

The young athlete was also contending with a niggling hip injury which has curtailed her training over the last month but had set a target of reaching her first UK final.

Coirilidh started well as she won her heat comfortably in 9.44s to progress to the first of three semi-finals.

In the semi-final she pushed hard to qualify for the final and ran an excellent 9.37s. After all the semi-finals were completed she found her time was fast enough and she had achieved her target of a place in the final.

The final was a fast race as expected and Coirilidh challenged hard over the hurdles to finish in seventh place in 9.45s, a creditable position considering it was her first UK championships and her niggling injury.

The event was a fantastic experience for Coirilidh and will give her confidence. That fact paired with a personal best of 9.25s run in January, she should be a medal contender when fully fit.

She will get another opportunity to face the best in Britain and challenge for that medal in the summer competition by which time she will no doubt be fully fit and raring to go.