Val Smith and Anna Punt win Silver

Story by: CHARLES ANDERSON - Nelson Mail - Photo by: Stringer

There was a silver lining for two Nelson athletes, Val Smith and Anita Punt, at the Commonwealth Games last night.

Fighting spirit and guts led bowler Smith to her silver medal in the women's singles, according to Nelson bowls spokesman Allan Griffiths.

"She struggled in the early part of the competition but it was just down to her fighting sprit and guts to come back and do what she did."

Mr Griffiths said though Smith struggled in the early part of the competition, she proved she was still up with the best in the world.

"She certainly hasn't done herself any harm and I'm sure she is looking forward to the world championships in Adelaide in two years."

He said he thought the game between two very talented bowlers was played in great spirit.

Nelson hockey player Anita Punt also managed a silver medal after a dramatic shootout against Australia.

Nelson Hockey president Diane Proudfoot said she was really impressed with how the team and Punt played.

"She is right up there, she has heaps of speed and a great eye for the ball. She has worked very, very hard and never takes anything for granted."

However, Ms Proudfoot said it was a gutting way to end a game. "Strokes is just absolutely horrible. It's a shame they didn't get the gold but at the end of the day they were equal with Australia during normal play."

She said to come that close and miss out was just unlucky.