Twell first Scot home in Poland

FREYA Murray was left hugely frustrated after finishing in 37th place in the world cross country-championships in Poland yesterday, well short of her stated ambitions.

Arriving in Bydgoszcz with high hopes of being the leading European finisher, the 26-year-old from Edinburgh was out-shone by Scottish rival Steph Twell who came 23rd – two minutes behind the winner, Kenya's Emily Chibet.

With reigning European champion Hayley Yelling fading badly down the field, Great Britain's women finished a disappointing sixth in the team contest. Faye Fullerton (33rd), and Stevie Stockton (47th) were the other scorers, but only Twell impressed with her personal showing. "It was fantastic," she reflected.

However, Murray had no real answers for the way her hitherto brilliant form of 2010 deserted her when it mattered most.

"It wasn't what I was looking for," she said. "I felt really flat. The world cross always goes off fast and I expected that but I struggled to make up ground even when I was picking up the pace. I seemed to be going backwards as other girls, including Steph, came past me. It's just a frustrating way to end the season off. There's no reason why I should have had such a bad run because I felt so positive beforehand."

Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba failed to collect a fourth world title after being run out of the medals. Dibaba, whose last win came in Edinburgh two years ago, was unable to master the muddy conditions and finished fourth as Kenyan duo Chibet and Linet Masai dominated the race. Chibet edged Masai into second place for the second successive year by one second, with Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia finishing third. Kenya also won the team competition ahead of Ethiopia, with the United States finishing third.

British challenger Mo Farah could not threaten Africa's dominance in the men's event, trailing in 21st as Kenya's Joseph Ebuya – winner of the Great Edinburgh International two months ago – claimed his first world title by six seconds from Eritrean challenger Teklemariam Medhin.

In the team event Kenya were ahead of Eritrea and Ethiopia, with the British men finishing 14th. Behind Farah, Andy Vernon (44th), Mike Skinner (65th) and James Wilkinson (107th) were the other scorers.

Scottish duo Beth Potter (36th) and Sarah Inglis (56th) failed to score points for GB in the junior women's race, won by Mercy Cherono who led home a Kenyan sweep of the podium spots.

Kilbarchan's Callum Hawkins ended 47th in the junior men's championship, won by Caleb Ndiku as Kenya's monopolistic grip on proceedings delivered the top four places.