Jessica Ennis ends European heptathlon day one on top

Jessica Ennis continued her fine form this season by leading rival Natalayia Dobrynska by over 100 points after four events in the European Championships heptathlon.

The gap was as little as 11 points at one stage but an impressive 200m left the Sheffield-born athlete 110 points ahead of her Ukrainian rival.

Ennis, 24, had won both opening events but the pivotal moment came when, after two disappointing attempts in the shot-put left her well behind the Ukranian, she found a throw of over 14m to maintain the lead.

Ennis then ran a powerful 200m in a time that would have been good enough for a semi-final in the full 200m event: 23.22s.

Ennis’ performance capped a good Friday for British athletes that saw Andy Turner win the 110m Hurdles, while Christian Malcolm only just missed out on gold in the Men’s 200m after a fantastic fight back from France’s Christophe Lemaitre, who completed a sprint double with his 100m title.

Michael Bingham and Martyn Rooney sealed silver and bronze respectively as they were edged out by Beligian Kevin Borlee.

Jenny Meadows secured a bronze medal in the women’s 800m despite leading for most of the way before being overtaken by defending champion Mariya Savinova and Yvonne Hak of the Netherlands in silver.

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