Shropshire archer Alison Williamson celebrates Commonwealth silver

County archer Alison Williamson is celebrating a Commonwealth Games silver medal in Delhi after the England team suffered a narrow defeat to the host nation in a controversial final.

Williamson, 38, and fellow team members Naomi Folkard and Amy Oliver came close to a golden moment losing 207-206 to India in the final.

And the result was not without its controversy as Oliver only managed to shoot a score of six under pressure from a vocal home crowd.

But Williamson, who trains at Lilleshall National Sports Centre but lives just over the border in Staffordshire, refused to make any excuses.

Strong showing

She said: "Obviously it was a difficult way to finish.

"But if you'd offered us silver on the plane on the way over here we possibly would have taken it.

"After winning two golds yesterday and silver today, it's still been a strong showing from the England team.

"We have the men's and individuals to come and I hope we can to add to the tally. Obviously, this is not a typical archery crowd but we're not making any excuses because we shoot as a team.

"I liken it to golf, though. You don't get people clapping and shouting when someone is teeing off.

"But, as I say, it's not an excuse. We respect the Indian team and they were worthy winners."

And Williamson's mum Sue, who watched the action unfold at the family home in Church Stretton, said she was proud of her daughter who won Olympic bronze in 2004.

Sue Williamson said: "I think once they get over the initial disappointment of not getting gold they will be pleased with a silver.

"I've heard it was noisy but we can't have it both ways. People complain not enough people watch the sport and then when they do come we can't complain that they make too much noise. And they didn't want us to win - they wanted India to win so it is just one of those things."

Williamson can now target individual gold when that competition resumes on Sunday. Sue said: "She still has the individual finals to come. She is through to the quarter finals on Sunday so hopefully she can get another medal in that."

By ALEX JAMES