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Farah caps strong display for GB & NI in Glasgow

Mo Farah capped off a fine day for Great Britain & Northern Ireland © PA Photos

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World champion Mo Farah ensured Great Britain & Northern Ireland won the Aviva International Match in Glasgow on Saturday, after he triumphed in the 1500m in the final event of the day at Kelvin Hall.

All eyes were on Farah, the main attraction at the meeting, as he took victory in a time of 3 minutes 39.03 seconds in the indoor event - ensuring there was a home victory to celebrate as Team GB beat Russia and Germany by seven points in the overall standings.

He was pushed all the way, however, after a ding-dong battle with Augustine Chogi. Chogi led for much of the race, but Farah slipped into the lead at the start of the final lap and just managed to hold off his rival over the closing stages as the crowd gave him the lift he needed to hang on for the line.

"I'm really happy to win, I can't believe how much noise there was!" Farah told the BBC afterwards. "It means a lot. I was just trying to run the shortest distance possible and not let him [Chogi] get ahead of me over the final 200m."

Earlier in the day, in the women's 1500m World Championship silver medallist Hannah England was forced to settle for a narrow second place after being pipped by German Denise Krebs in a sprint finish.

At the back of the pack for most of the race, England decided to push the pace with three laps remaining, but Krebs reeled her in over the final 200m, taking victory in a time of 4m 25.09s after pipping England on the line.

Despite the disappointment at the end, England was pleased with her first competitive run of 2012.

"It was a lot of fun," England said afterwards. "I didn't really get to do my race plan, but I was back in fifth so that wasn't a good place to be and I decided to go.

"I've been training in Kenya, which is great for my strength, but I haven't done much speed work."

Jeanette Kwakye, another prominent London 2012 medal hopeful, romped to victory in the women's 60m, leaving the field behind her as she stormed home from the inside lane to win in a time of 7.26s.

"I hope that's a good omen," Kwakye said. "Considering the time I've been putting in it was quite promising. Today I feel a lot more confident in myself and my fitness [than last year], so I'm happy."

Mark Lewis-Francis then edged Kim Collins by the narrowest of margins to win the men's race in 6.65s - setting the stage for Farah to claim the overall standings for Great Britain & Ireland in the final event of the meeting.

Team GB's first victory of the day came courtesy of youngster Danny Talbot, who edged former Commonwealth and world gold medallist Collins to take victory in the 200m in a time of 21.17s, eventually shaking off the St Kitts & Nevis sprinter after a strong final bend.

"It's such an honour to be on the track with Kim," Talbot said. "The main goal [now] is the Olympics. Hopefully I can secure qualification in the summer, and then move on from there."

Margaret Adeoye then won the women's equivalent in a personal best time of 23.68s to continue the home success. "I feel like I'm in good shape, but it was a shock," she said afterwards. "I'm taking it a step at a time, so we'll see what is to come."

That was not the end of the Great British dominance, however, as Welsh youngster Joe Thomas then produced an emphatic performance to win the 800m in a time of 1m 47.35s. In the midst of the pack coming to the final 200m, Thomas showed a great kick to leave his shocked rivals in the distance as he romped to victory.

"When I hit the lead the crowd went mental," Thomas said. "Now I went to keep going on with every race."

Yamile Aldama then cruised to a dominant victory in the women's triple jump, as she builds toward a medal challenge at the Olympics later in the year.

Elsewhere, Shara Proctor and Helen Clitheroe came second in the long jump and 3000m respectively, while Shana Cox and Robbie Grabarz came third in the women's 400m and men's high jump.

There was real disappointment for the other world championship medallist in the field, however, as Andy Turner came last in the 60m hurdles after limping over the line. Turner later complained that he was still being affected by a persistent Achilles issue, one he will have to revisit the doctor to attempt to cure.

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