Rawlinson struggles in Commonwealth warm-up

Defending Commonwealth 400 metres hurdles champion Chris Rawlinson was soundly beaten in today’s Telstra A-Series, finishing only seventh in Melbourne.

Rawlinson produced a disappointing mark of 50.35 seconds in the first leg of this year’s World Athletics Tour, a performance that does not augur well for the defence of his Commonwealth title later this month in the same city.

Jamaica’s Kemel Thompson underlined why he is favourite for the gold medal, winning comfortably ahead of South Africa’s Louis van Zyl and Matt Elias of Wales.

Natasha Danvers Smith scored a brilliant 400m hurdles victory, winning in a quickish time of 55.92secs in front of of Scotland’s Lee McConnell, who clocked 56.16secs.

Susan Scott won over 800m, holding off a powerful challenge to beat Canadian number one Diane Cummins, with England’s Jemma Simpson third.

Steve Lewis was second in the pole vault with a best effort of 5.50m, with Nick Buckfield fourth with a clearance of 5.35m.

Meanwhile, a scratch English side finished fourth in the 4x100m relay in a time of 39.47secs.

Jamaica, with world 100m record holder Asafa Powell running their last leg, won in 39.72secs.

Australia and New Zealand followed them home.

The English women’s squad were placed runners-up to Australia, who beat them by 0.40secs in a time of 44.04secs.