PLYMOUTH’S Myles Pillage and his Great Britain team-mate Bradley Sutton produced an excellent display to finish fifth in the men’s relay at the Junior World Championships in the Czech Republic on Wednesday.

It was another strong performance from the 20-year-olds, teaming up for the fifth time in the last two years at a major championships.

The men’s relay began in the pool with Pillage and Sutton once again demonstrating they among the best athletes on the modern pentathlon circuit in the swim.

As they had done in the Junior European Championships relay earlier this month, the British duo easily topped the timing charts, this time recording a time of 1:47.48, which was more than three seconds clear of any other nation.

A slow start in the fencing hall left the Brits with ground to make up, but they were up to the task with the University of Bath-based duo enjoying a strong finish, winning the final four bouts to end with 17 victories and 15 defeats.

A victory over France in the bonus round capped their fine morning on the piste with the British pair, which left them fourth after the opening two disciplines in Kladno.

The ride can often be unpredictable and it was the discipline which dashed the young Brits hopes of a top 10 finish when they teamed up at last year’s Senior World Championships in Cairo.

However, they proved that they have learned from that experience with a calm and controlled display, despite some difficulties in the warm-up arena.

Just five time faults for their round saw Pillage and Sutton score 295 points, maintaining their position in fourth in the overall standings.

Conditions for the laser-run were extremely tough with the temperature still in the mid-30s for the discipline. With the top three out of reach, the battle for the Brits was with Poland and China for fourth, fifth and sixth. They crossed the line in the middle of that trio to record another fine result after their Junior European bronze earlier this season. It also ensured a confidence boosting result ahead of men’s individual qualifying which begins on Friday.