CITY of York Athletics Club javelin thrower Rebecca Tunnicliffe stole the show at the Malta International.

The 14-year-old returned from the competition with three gold medals and a stadium record.

The trip was organised by City of York throws coach Paul Wilson to take athletes away for a week of warm weather training, which also included two competitions.

In a junior event at the Malta International Stadium, Tunnicliffe won the shot putt with a throw of 11.40 metres and the javelin with an effort of 34.43m against the best under-16s girls in Malta.

She was also invited to compete in the javelin against senior athletes in the Malta International competition.

Teams from France, Malta, Egypt, Finland, Libya, Scotland, Wales, UK Athletics and the North of England were taking part.

However, Tunnicliffe rose to the occasion and won the javelin gold, easily beating several older athletes.

Her winning throw of 37.84m was a new personal best and City of York club record.

It also beat the stadium record that had stood since 1972 and her performance means she is now ranked second in the UK for her age.

Next month, she will take part in the Yorkshire Championships at Don Valley, in Sheffield.

Paul Allsopp represented the North of England in the Malta International and won gold with a throw of 55.50m.

Allsopp was disappointed with his effort having set a new personal best of 61.73m the previous week.

However, he pulled a groin muscle in the warm-up.

Other City of York athletes to compete at the International for North of England were Scott Lincoln.

The 15-year-old won a silver medal in the senior men shot putt with a throw of 13.50m.

That mark was down on his club record throw of the previous week – 14.11m.

Chloe Smyrk won the bronze medal in the U20s women’s discus, with City of York club-mate Kirsty Taylor finishing fourth.

Smyrk also finished fourth in the senior javelin, with Jessica Elsworth taking bronze behind winner Tunnicliffe.

Vidas Regelskis won a silver medal in the senior men’s discus to round off a superb week in Malta for the City of York contingent.

Meanwhile, Ryedale athlete James Buck, 16, brother of Great Britain star Richard, was second in the 400m after clocking a personal best of 49.79 seconds.