Caudery clears mark at first time of asking

MOLLY Caudery returned to winning ways in the pole vault at The Novuna UK Athletics Championships, clearing 4.85 metres to claim gold in Birmingham.

- By Sunny Badwal, PA

The 25-year-old came in at 4.35m and cleared the height at the first time of asking after cutting her run short on the previous attempt.

Caudery, who finished fifth in the London Athletics Meet last month, had no problems this time around and eased over 4.45m, 4.60m and 4.75m before matching her indoor record of 4.85m for this season.

Tilly Hooper and Felicia Miloro claimed silver and bronze respectively at the Alexander Stadium.

Caudery surprisingly failed in three attempts to clear 4.55m in Paris 12 months ago and did not qualify for the pole vault final, but is now looking ahead to the World Championships in Tokyo next month and insists her mistakes will not be repeated.