Cooke impresses to reach final on World Cup debut

JAMIE Cooke made it a trio of British athletes into the final of the opening World Cup event of the season in Mexico as the teenager put in a strong performance on his debut in the competition.

The 18-year-old will join Sam Weale and Nick Woodbridge as the British contingent in Saturday's final after posting an impressive score of 4,320 points to qualify.

Cooke, who lifted the European Youth title in Turkey last season, posted the highest score of all his teammates coming seventh in his semi final at Playa del Carmen.

Woodbridge who managed 4,296 to finish eighth in the same race while Weale came second in the day's other semi with 4,192.

After clocking the fastest time in the swimming stage, Cooke followed that up with top-ten finishes in the fencing and the combined run and shoot.

Meanwhile, the women's qualification event was cancelled due to lack of numbers.

As a reult, British athletes Heather Fell, Louise Helver and Samantha Murray go straight through to the final.