THEA Rogers had every reason to be thrilled after coming back from her first international archery competition with a gold medal, personal best and two Welsh records.

The Cwmbran teen was also part of a Great Britain team that won more medals than any other country at the second leg of the European Youth Cup in Porec, Croatia.

After two days of practice, Rogers and the other 62 recurve cadet women’s archers fired 72 arrows each to determine the head-to-head match-ups in the individual and team events.

Rogers, the second best Brit behind Louisa Piper, finished 13th overall, totalling 631 to set a new lifetime best and under-16 and under-18 Welsh records.

In the knockout stages of the individual competition, a win against Estonia’s Liisi Tammar was followed by a narrow defeat to another Estonian in Alexandra Pollumae.

Nevertheless, with Piper and Alyssia Tromans-Ansell, the St Albans RC High School pupil set about trying to make the podium in the team event.

They beat Croatia, Ukraine and Russia to secure a final with French trio Elodie Kaczmareck, Lisa Barbelin and individual champion Kyla Touraine-Helias.

France had registered a new world record in the ranking round but hadn’t bargained on a British three at the peak of their powers – Rogers and co lost the first set before storming back to triumph 6-2.

“It was my first international event and the biggest competition I have been to,” said Rogers. “I had lots of fun and it was a great experience.

“I was really happy with my new personal best and to then win the gold in the team event was brilliant.

“We joked afterwards that when we lost the first set in the final all we were doing was lulling the French into a false sense of security.”

Mum Tascha added: “There are no words to describe the emotions I feel. Thea’s dedication and hard work has paid off.”