SAMANTHA Murray finished an impressive seventh place in the first Modern Pentathlon World Cup event of the year.

The Clitheroe athlete showed off her all-round talents in the five discipline event in Palm Springs, USA in a top class field.

The 20-year-old was third GB athlete home in the competition that includes fencing, swimming, riding and the combined run/shoot.

Murray clocked a total of 5,072 points with GB team-mate Mhairi Spence winning a silver medal with 5,208 points.

Gold went to France’s Amelie Caze with 5,284 points.

It was another fine effort from the former Bowland High School pupil who has hopes of making the GB team for London 2012.

It only her second season competing in the World Cup, Murray clocked the third fastest time in the pool, completing the 200m freestyle in 2mins 12.40seconds.

She was seventh best in the run/shoot discipline.

Palm Springs was the first World Cup event to use laser pistols rather than the traditional air pistol.

Murray started the event with a 22nd place in the fencing and also finished in 16th place in the riding.

She can now take that impressive form in to the second World Cup event in Sassari, Italy next month.

Murray is currently studying for a degree in French and Politics at the University of Bath.

She is currently on a placement year in Paris.

The World Cup series concludes with events in Hungary and China with the World Cup final to be held in London in July.

Murray will also be hoping to compete in the European Championships in Meday Kent (July 28-August 1) and the World Championships in Egypt in September.

Modern Pentathlon is one of Britain’s most successful Olympic sports with the GB women winning four medals since it was introduced at Sydney 2000.

Steph Cook won gold and Kate Allenby bronze in Sydney, Georgina Harland picked up a bronze in Athens four years later and Heather Fell won silver at the Beijing 2008 Games.

The GB team will be looking to take the maximum team of four (two men and two women) to London 2012.

Murray is currently ranked 15th in the world but is third GB lady just behind Freyja Prentice (11th) and Fell (12th).