TOM DRUCE’S Sheffield jinx struck again at the Aviva World Trials and national indoor championships.

With high hopes of his first senior national medal, the 23-year-old Guernseyman reached the 400m final yesterday afternoon only to place fifth of the six starters.

‘I ran poorly… no excuses,’ said the Sarnian, who has now run on the Sheffield track four times and not performed well on it.

‘I was expecting a medal.’

Druce started and finished the weekend lying third in the UK 400m rankings and, after winning his opening heat in 48.00, he booked his place in the final with second place in the second semi-final in a time of 48.29.

Although all three qualifiers from the other semi-final went faster, the Guernseyman received a favourable lane draw for the medal showdown in which he clocked 48.60, more than a second down on his season’s best.

Race favourite Richard Buck took the title, Nigel Levine was second and the surprise performance came from Luke Lennon-Ford who ran a personal best to win bronze.

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