NICK PLANTS SEED FOR TITLE WIN

Nick Percy defended his British discus title in blooming marvellous style – after ripping up his mum’s back garden to do so.

The 25-year- old launched a fifth-round effort of 59.74 metres for gold on day two of the British Championships in Manchester.

And the Scot revealed he needed to play nice at home to keep on track during lockdown.

Percy said: “We created the Garden High Performance Centre.

“We cut back some trees and put up some high netting.

“My mother wasn’t too happy with it but needs must in these difficult times.

“I was fortunate my local gym lent me some weights, so I was able to keep going when others weren’t able to.”

With so many big names opting out, Jake Wightman was given top billing by organisers only to fluff his lines in the 800m Final.

Fif th in the world 1500m showpiece last year, the Scot was bumped into second by in-form Dan Rowden. Wightman, whose

Edinburgh club-mate Joe Ewing was fifth, said: “I am frustrated.

“I came here with one intention, which was to win it – but I feel like I did everything.

“When you are running against a guy like Daniel, with the form he is in, I knew he was going to be hard to beat and he proved that.

“I am still on the search for an outdoor title.”

Neil Gourley suffered a stunner in the 1500m, the hot favourite edged out by 15-hundredths of a second in a sprint for the line with George Mills. The world finalist, 25, said: “I was not quite good enough, to be honest.

“I am pretty sure this will be the end of my season as I need to take some time off to reset.”

Chris Bennett, an Olympian in Rio four years ago, fell short in the hammer final, with the Glaswegian throwing 68.84m to land silver behind Craig Murch.

Laura Muir will hunt a third win in a row when she faces Eilish McColgan over 1500m in tonight’s Continental Tour leg in Chorzow. Guy Learmonth runs in the 800m.