British title By ANDY NEILD CRAIG Heap beat off the challenge of his flatmate and fellow Commonwealth Gold Medalist team mate Andy Atherton to be crowned the British Men's Gymnastics Champion in Stoke at the weekend.

The Burnley gymnast went into the High Bar, the competition's final event, two tenths of a point behind his England colleague and had all but resigned himself to second place.

But after Heap had recorded a nine, Atherton faltered on his dismount to hand his England team captain the title.

"I had turned around to pack my bag because I thought it was all over but Andy's hands went down on his dismount and he only scored 8.45," said a delighted Heap, who won with a total of 53.3 to Atherton's 52.95.

And in the finals of the individual events yesterday, Heap retained his British Rings title and chalked up bronze medals in the Parrell Bars and High Bars to cap a successful weekend.

"It was hard to try and lift myself to perform again after Saturday's events so I was plaesed with how I did in the circumstances," said Heap.

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