Roberts sets sights on Commonwealth spot

Roberts, from Caynham near Ludlow, is on a development programme while chasing a team spot in the 2018 Games on Australia's Gold Coast.

And she gave the selectors a hefty nudge with a silver medal in the British International 50m Rifle Championships – her debut at the event.

Roberts recently won backing from top ammunition manufacturer RWS and has seen an immediate boost in her shooting.

She said: "I've been confident with my performances since I had some batch-tested ammunition. I've performed very well in training, shooting personal bests.

"It's my first year in the British 50m and it was a very high-level field of competitors.

"So although I was confident, I was acutely aware that I was competing against some very high-profile names.

"I was absolutely delighted, totally overwhelmed, to achieve silver and with such a good score, 619.3. I welled up!

"It's an incredible feat and I've had congratulations from so many people."

Yet the achievement could have been even greater – Roberts finished just one point shy of gold.

She added: "I was absolutely elated to get silver. But there's a part of you inside that thinks, just one point from gold.."

Her success in the Bisley event will stand her in good stead with the national selectors.

She said: "It's one of the consideration shoots for England,. It's a score that will be taken into account."

Now she will look to keep herself in contention as she combines a busy summer shooting schedule with work – Roberts is a qualified estate agent and interior designer.

She added: "I've got a lot of things planned with my coaches. It's the Welsh Open at the end of the month and national Bisley in August, where I had a big haul of silverware last year."