CLITHEROE’S Samantha Murray fought right to the very end in the scorching 38 degree heat during Saturday’s women’s final of the Modern Pentathlon World Championships.

Murray had a fantastic start in Berlin after clocking a joint first place swim, but the fencing was all too reminiscent of Friday’s frustrations as Murray won just 12 of her 35 bouts, leaving her 18th in the table ahead of the third event.

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Murray’s riding talent shone however, as she secured a clear round in what was a tricky course, picking up just two time faults in the tight time allowed. Every point proved valuable, as she went into the combined event in 11th place, with a 65-second handicap.

Medal contention seemed a long way off with Germany’s Lena Schoneborn securing a nine-second advantage after winning a record breaking 30 of her 35 fencing bouts.

But with her precise shooting and powerful running, Murray scored the third fasted combined time and climbed her way up the rankings to secure a top five finish.

National performance director Jan Bartu said: “The second half of the day was just perfect, she rode perfectly and she had an exceptionally good combined event, even by her standards.

“Her fencing was way below par and she couldn’t really break into the competition.

“You have to be up there in the fencing to be in with a chance of a medal.

“For Sam, this will have been extremely good for her confidence ahead of the European Championships in Bath later this summer.

“She came fifth after a very poor fence, so you can see that if she is in good form in August, she will be up there contending for a medal.”