TOM Gale marked his debut for England with a second-placed finish at the Celtic Indoor Games in Cardiff on Sunday.

The 17-year-old high jumper from Trowbridge, who is a student at the John of Gaunt School, cleared 2.00m to finish runner-up behind England team-mate Rory Dwyer (2.15m). Tom Trotman of Wales was third with 1.85m.

Gale was called up to make his international debut after improving his personal best to 2.05m this indoor season, which has lifted him to second in the UK Rankings for under 20 men. He also won the South West Indoor title.

“It was an amazing experience and I loved it,” said Gale. “It was a tremendous day and while I am not disappointed with the result, it would have been nice to have jumped 2.10 as well.”

Gale then revealed he has been invited to make his first overseas appearance this weekend after being called up into the England team for a competition in the Czech Republic.

“It is an open competition so I will be up against the big boys there - it should be another great experience,” he said.

“It’s not a bad start to the year for sure.”

He flies out with the team on Friday, with the competition on Sunday.

“Tom thoroughly enjoyed the experience and let us hope this is the first of many international vests,” said coach Di Viles, of his Celtic Indoor Games experience.