Kilty returns to action

8:45am Saturday 2nd August 2008

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GATESHEAD Harriers, who have reached Division One of the British Athletics League after three consecutive promotions, welcome back sprint star Richard Kilty for today’s third fixture at Liverpool this afternoon.

Kilty helped the Tynesiders make a winning debut at the International Stadium in June but was away captaining the Great British men’s team in the World Youth Championships in Poland when a seriously weakened Gateshead were knocked off top spot at Carlisle last month.

Kilty has benefited immensely from the experience he gained in Bydgoszoz and last weekend the 18-year-old Teessider recorded a new electronic timing personal best time of 10.51 secs for the 100 metres in the National Junior League in Manchester before winning the B 400m with a sub-50 secs run. He also helped Gateshead qualify for the BAL Cup Final on September 6 with a winning time of 10.60 secs at the International Stadium.

After winning 30 points in the opening match Kilty’s services will be more than welcome at Liverpool when Gateshead hope to field a much stronger team.

Division One standings after two fixtures are: 1City of Sheffield 15; 2 Trafford 13; 3 Gateshead 12; 4 Kent 9; 5 Liverpool 9; 6 Harrow 6; 7 Border 5; 8 Thames Valley 3.

■ Teesside’s top-ranked under-23 1500m runner Ricky Stephenson just failed to break the four minute barrier clocking 4mins 00.33 secs representing the British Milers’ Club in a challenge match in Dublin.