THE 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia are well underway - and Pembrokeshire athletes are excelling themselves in Team Wales colours so far.

On Sunday, Heather Lewis put in a super effort to finish seventh in the Women’s 20KM Walk final.

In inevitably hot and tough conditions, the 24-year-old from Clerkenhill Farm crossed the line at Currumbin Beachfront in 01:41:45.

The race was won by home athlete Jemima Montag in 01:32:50, with New Zealand’s Alana Barber second in 01:34:18. Lewis’ Welsh teammate, Bethan Davies, won the first athletics medal of the week for Team Wales, taking bronze with 01:36:08.

Pembrokeshire Harrier Heather, formerly of Sir Thomas Picton School, found herself at the back of the field in the early going, but progressively picked athletes off as the race wore on.

She climbed from 12th to ninth and remained there for the majority of the race, but in the final four kilometres, finished strongly to pass Erika Kelly (Isle of Man) and Grace Wanjiru Njue (Kenya) and secure seventh.

Telegraph Sport contacted Heather in Australia, who said she loved every moment of the race. “I would like to say thank you so much to all family and friends in Pembrokeshire, the support has been unbelievable.

“I feel so proud to have represented Wales and enjoyed every moment, I’m so excited for the future and I know I will get stronger.”

The following day, Rudbaxton’s Ben Llewellin took silver in the Men’s Skeet shooting event.

The 23-year-old hit 56 out of 60 targets at the Belmont Shooting Centre, one behind Georgios Achilleos (Cyprus) whose tally of 57 was a new games record. Gareth Mcauley (Northern Ireland) was third with 45.

Earlier in the day, Llewellin had comfortably made the final as the second best qualifier, again behind Achilleos, with the top six going through to the finale. “What a fantastic feeling,” he told Telegraph Sport.

“Being out there representing Wales, and having the support behind me in the crowd cheering for each target was an amazing experience.”

That same day another real medal hope, boxer Mickey Mcdonagh of Merlins Bridge ABC, took a unanimous points win over Qhobosheane Mohlerepe of Lesoto in his first round fight in the Men’s 60KG event.

All five judges gave the 19-year-old the verdict as he showed no signs of nerves.

He is again in action tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11.30am, where he will take on Thadius Katua of Papua New Guinea for a place in the last four.

In the Open B6/B7/B8 Triples Bowls competition, Jonathan Hubbard (Kilgetty), Pauline Wilson and Raymond Lillycrop (Milford Haven) rounded off their campaign with a brilliant 15-13 win over England.

It wasn’t enough to qualify them for the knockout stages after earlier defeats to New Zealand (26-5), Scotland (27-4), South Africa (21-4), and Australia (22-12), but it was a memorable end to an unforgettable experience for the trio.

In squash Pembrokeshire born Joel Makin, who only last month returned to Milford Haven Squash Club to visit members, did brilliantly in the Men’s Singles tournament to reach the semi final.

But in an epic 105-minute contest, he was beaten by New Zealand’s Paul Coll 3-2. That meant a bronze medal match on Monday against Nafiizwan Adnan (Malaysia), and there was more heartbreak following another game to go the wire, as Joel was again beaten 3-2 (11- 7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5).

There was first round disappointment for 110 metre hurdler David Omoregie, who failed to qualify for the second round after finishing seventh in 14.20.

The time of the former STP pupil and Pembrokeshire Harrier, now based in Cardiff, was well down on his personal best (13:24).

Former Whitland RFC rugby player Rhodri West meanwhile, represented Team Wales in the 105KG and over Men’s Weightlifting event. He produced a snatch lift of 135KG, and a clean and jerk of 170KG, for an overall total of 305KG, a competition best for him that gave him a final finish of 10th place.

The Weighlifting team are being managed in Australia by Simon Roach, director of SAW.

On Friday, Jasmine Joyce will take her place in the Wales Women's side for the 7s, and on Sunday, Tavernspite's Caryl Jones runs in the marathon.