PLYMOUTH pentathlete Myles Pillage made a successful return from long-term injury by winning a gold medal for Great Britain at the European Championships in Hungary.

Pillage, who had been out of action for a year, teamed up Olympic champion Kate French to win the mixed relay event in Székesfehérvár.

Pillage had won the same event back in 2019 with fellow Plymothian Kerenza Bryson.

But he was delighted to top the podium again after so long out.

“First of all, I’m just really pleased to be back competing after nearly a year away due to injuries,” he said.

“To come back and get a relay gold on my first competition is great – and a bit of a relief to be honest.

“When you’ve been out of the game for such a long time, you never know how you’re going to perform, but of course it helps to have an Olympic champion as a team-mate!”

A medal never appeared in doubt for the British duo.

A confident start in the fencing with 21 victories, was followed up with excellent rides from both, picking up just one time penalty after both riders went clear.

Their combined effort in the pool clocked them the second fastest time of the competition (01:58.33), just behind the French pair of Oteiza and Fleurot (01:58.31), who would line up behind them in the laser-run.

With a 21 second advantage, the British team took to the track with confidence, and despite both their French rivals closing the gap, and the Italian team of Frezza and Cincelli storming through the field from seventh place to take silver, they maintained their position to bring home gold for Great Britain.