ABERGAVENNY shooter Sarah Wixey yesterday played her part in helping Wales to their best medal tally at an overseas Commonwealth Games.

Wales claimed four medals – two silvers and two bronzes – on day nine of Gold Coast 2018, taking their haul to 29 in all.

Their previous best return from a Games abroad was the 25 won in Auckland in 1990 – and with three boxers in finals today they are guaranteed to add more to their current collection.

For Wixey, who finished third in the women’s trap, it was a first medal at a third Commonwealth Games.

She had been lying in the silver medal position before being overtaken by Northern Ireland’s Kirsty Barr, who took silver behind Australia’s Laetisha Scanlan.

Wixey seems to enjoy competing Down Under as it was in Melbourne in 2006 that she made her Games debut for Wales, three years after winning World Cup gold in the same country.

Wixey’s husband Mike is in eighth place after the first day of qualifying in the men’s trap, which finishes today.

Wales’ record-breaking 26th medal, a silver, came courtesy of rhythmic gymnast Laura Halford in the hoop discipline.

Wrestler Kane Charig bagged a silver in the men’s freestyle 65kg division, while boxer Mickey McDonagh had to settle for 60kg bronze following a semi-final defeat to Aussie Harry Garside.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to pass the 25 medal mark and we hope to add more in the final few days of competition,” said Team Wales chef de mission Nicola Phillips.

“Our athletes, across all 15 sports, have been outstanding and they deserve the praise that is coming their way.

“The goal we gave to our athletes was to get more personal bests, and highest placings, than we’ve ever had.

“They have done it brilliantly, and that is now reflected on the medal table.

“The whole 200-strong team has performed with passion and commitment and we applaud that remarkable effort.

“We hope they inspire others to get involved in sport.”

Elsewhere on the Gold Coast, Pontypool’s Ieuan Thomas finished seventh in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final, in a race Kenya dominated by winning gold, silver and bronze.

The men’s bowls quartet of Ross Owen, Ebbw Vale’s Stephen Harris, Caerphilly’s Marc Wyatt, Newport-based Jonathan Tomlinson lost their bronze medal match to England.

Wales’ men’s hockey team beat South Africa 3-2 to finish ninth out of the 10 sides competing – James Carson (2) and Gareth Furlong scored their goals.

Women’s sevens is making its debut at this year’s Games but there was little to cheer for Wales.

A 34-5 reverse against Australia and a 29-7 defeat by Fiji ended their hopes of a possible podium finish.

Meanwhile, Lauren Price and Rosie Eccles go in search of Commonwealth Games glory today after the former followed her fellow Gwent fighter into a gold medal showdown.

Bargoed’s Price is guaranteed of an upgrade from the bronze she won in Glasgow in 2014, but it’s the top honour rather than second prize the Welsh woman wants She was far too good for Canadian Tammara Thibeault in yesterday’s 75kg semi-final, with Price sealing a unanimous points victory – she now meets Australian Caitlin Parker for gold.

“I knew going into the fight she had a height advantage on me because she is a big girl,” said Price.

“Watching her before I knew she had done a lot of grappling so it was going to be tough.

“My tactics worked. It was a messy fight but the most important thing was I got the win to get me in the final.

“I am fighting an Australian (in the final) but know deep down I can do enough to beat her in her own backyard.

“That is what I am aiming to do and bring home the gold for Wales.”

Chepstow’s Eccles takes on England’s Sandy Ryan in the 69kg final.

And in the men’s draw, Swansea’s Sammy Lee faces Samoan Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali in the 81kg showpiece following his defeat of Aussie Clay Waterman.

Micky McDonagh had to settle for bronze in the 60kg division after a semi-final points loss to Australian Harry Garside.

Also today, Wales’ men are in rugby sevens action, and Aidan Heslop goes up against Tom Daley in the men’s 10m platform diving. Heslop was 12th in the 3m springboard.