Mitcham's Jade Lally believes she can iron out the kinks in her technique in time for the Commonwealth Games, despite failing to defend her discus crown at last week's Sainsbury’s British Championships.

The great and the good of British athletics descended on Birmingham’s Alexander stadium for a thrilling weekend of action – and it was no different in the discus.

But amid swirling conditions on the day Lally could not quite hit the high notes, finishing with a best throw of 54.58m.

That was only good enough for second as Eden Francis, who will also be competing for England at the Commonwealths, clinched the title.

However, there are still four weeks to go before Lally heads to Glasgow and the Shaftesbury Barnet Harrier insists there is still plenty of time to brush up on her skills.

“It’s just a timing thing, I’m really close and I can hit the right positions in the right places when it’s slower, but at the moment slow is not going to get me the right distance,” said Lally, who hopes to compete throughout the Summer Series – events proudly backed by long-term supporter Sainsbury’s.

“I need to speed it up but at the moment it’s resulting in poor distances if I do that, so it’s annoying – I know I’m better than all those distances but it just isn’t happening.

“My arms come through just before my legs do and that’s making metres difference, so it looks horrendous, I know it’s not that bad which is why I’m not panicking.

“I might be going to Sweden and then Italy over the next two weeks; I’ll see how training goes. On paper I’d like to look better but I know I’m not a million miles away.

“I’ve got another three weeks before the Commonwealths so hopefully I can tweak it.

“I’m in good enough physical shape to do that. I think I can throw 60+ at Glasgow if the timing’s right, if not it sits at about 53. It’s not ideal but I think it’ll come together.”

Though Francis emerged as the victor in Birmingham, Lally remains ahead of her in the rankings this season with a season best throw of 57.58m.

But Lally admits the pair both have a way to go before they tap into their full potential.

“Mine and Eden’s rivalry this year has been quite close, I would have liked to have been in a more comfortable place and further in front but in ranking I’m a metre in front,” added Lally who finished sixth overall in Delhi’s Commonwealth Games four years ago.

“It’s good domestic rivalry and it’s just a shame our distances at the moment are sitting in the mid 50s rather than in the mid 60s.”

Sainsbury’s is proud to support British Athletics through the Summer Series events and committed to helping young people lead healthier, more active lifestyles. For more information visit sainsburys.co.uk/legacy