Ennis leads Great Britain to victory

In-form heptathlete Jessica Ennis led the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland women's team to their first ever victory in the European Cup Combined Events Super League in Szczecin, Poland.

The 21-year-old psychology graduate, who has already equalled the UK high jump record of 1.95m and beaten Denise Lewis' national under-23 heptathlon record this summer, contributed 6399 points as GB's team amassed 18,329 to win by a colossal margin of 1,040 ahead of the defending champions Russia.

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Ennis, the reigning European junior heptathlon champion and Commonwealth bronze medallist, led the individual competition throughout the two days.

Ennis won the 100m hurdles in 13.05 seconds, high jumping 1.87m, putting the shot an outdoor best of 12.89m, running the fastest 200m of the competition 23.65secs, long jumping 6.20m, throwing the javelin a lifetime best of 37.38m and running the 800m in two minutes 10.91 seconds, her fastest this year.

Ennis was ably supported by Commonwealth champion Kelly Sotherton, who was second with 6229 points, Julie Hollman 10th with 5701 and Ros Gonse 17th with 5501.

The Ukraine came third, with Poland fourth ahead of Greece, France, Finland and Sweden. Ennis' coach Toni Minichiello, who is chair of UK Athletics Combined Events Management Group, said: "The team scored more points than we have ever managed in the Super League in the 25 years of European Cups.

"And what's equally important is that we have got heptathletes with great talent coming through the age groups to keep the momentum going.

"I just wish Jess had found another couple of 100ths of a second in her 800m and scored another point to round it up to 6400.

"But there were 16 people in the race and when they broke on the back straight, they were like a swarm of flies looking for space.

"Jess had to run out in lane three to get round people. It was a cracking time in the circumstances."

Ennis consolidated her third place in the current world rankings by adding 11 points to the previous heptathlon best she achieved when winning an IAAF competition in Italy in May, and said: "We have done so well as a team. To win the cup with the most points a British team has scored is absolutely brilliant.

"I knew I was in shape to do well but was not expecting another personal best. I was a bit disappointed with the long jump but made up with the hurdles and the 800. And it was nice to throw a PB in the javelin."

The next heptathlon will be at the World Championships and she commented: "I'm pleased with the way things are going. Hopefully it will all come together in Osaka."

She flies directly to Hungary tomorrow to compete in the 100m hurdles and high jump at the European Under-23 Championships, which begin in Debrecen on Thursday.

"I'm a bit tired at the moment," she added. "But I'll be good once I get out there with the rest of the team."