Pickering sneaks 60m victory at Aviva International

Posted: Saturday 30th January 2010 | 17:57

CRAIG Pickering snatched his fourth consecutive victory at the Aviva International Match by the width of his vest to lead Great Britain to overall victory at Kelvin Hall.

ONLY JUST: Craig Pickering collects his fourth victory on the trot at the Aviva International Match by the narrowest of margins (Getty Images)

The 23-year-old was handed the win in a blanket finish in Glasgow and was timed at 6.66 seconds, 0.02 quicker than the USA's Mark Jelks as well as compatriot Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

Pickering's victory was enough to put the finishing touches to overall victory for Great Britain, who collected 63 points, courtesy of wins for Jessica Ennis, Helen Clitheroe, Leon Baptiste and Chris Tomlinson.

And while Pickering kept his winning streak in Scotland alive, he was the first to admit he must get quicker if he is to secure his place on the Great Britain team at the European Championships this summer.

"It was a good race, not a particularly good time, but a good race," said Pickering. "I think I was a little bit rusty but I will go back into training and build up my strength for the season.

"I'm not really focusing on the indoor season this year. I want to focus on the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games as well.

"It's a little bit of a shame, time-wise, because I thought I would be a little bit quicker at this stage of the season but I'm pleased to keep my run going here - that was the toughest one."

In the 200m, Great Britain's Leon Baptiste claimed the biggest scalp of his career to date, defeating former Olympic champion Shawn Crawford of the USA.

Baptiste, 24, clocked a season's best of 21.34 seconds, edging out Crawford by 0.02 to clinch victory and a valuable five points for Great Britain.

But with no 200m competition scheduled for March's World Indoor Championships in Doha, Baptiste has instead set his sights on the outdoor season and the European Championships in Barcelona.

"I'm really, really pleased," said Baptiste. "I was really inspired by getting to race against some of these athletes like Shawn Crawford - he's been an Olympic champion.

"This is where I want to be, testing myself and proving myself against the very best. It boosts my confidence with the outdoor season on the horizon."

In the pole vault, Beijing Olympian Steve Lewis disappointed and could only finish fourth with a best clearance of 5.30m while Germany's Bjorn Otto took victory with 5.50m his best effort.

Fellow Brit Luke Cutts also cleared 5.50m, but at his second attempt, while Otto was successful at the first time of asking, ensuring Cutts had to settle for second.

In the 3000m, Kenya's Sammy Mutahi took victory with a personal best of 8:06.85 minutes, while Olympic bronze medallist David Oliver of the USA stormed home to take the 60m hurdles win.

Fellow American Jamaal Torrance clocked 47.19 seconds on the way to 400m victory, edging out Great Britain's Richard Buck by 0.07 and South Africa's world champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was forced to settle for second in the 800m behind Robin Schembera of Germany.

In the triple jump, Nigeria's Tosin Oke leapt out to 16.73m - a new personal best - while Great Britain's Nathan Douglas produced a best jump of 16.68m for second place and Tomlinson took the spoils in the long jump.