GYMNASTICS: JUST when Sam Bayley thought the worst of her injury nightmares were behind her, a nasty fall during practice in Melbourne almost ended her dream of competing in a major championship.

The Trowbridge tumbler tore a ligament in her foot when she landed awkwardly on the balance beam just seven days before the artistic gymnastics competition was due to begin.

But after several pain-killing injections and some intense physio from the team doctor, battling Bayley re-joined her team-mates in the Rod Laver Arena as Wales made an unlikely bid for the Commonwealth crown.

Despite their best efforts, injuries severely hampered the Welsh challenge and the team just missed out a bronze medal, finishing in a respectable fourth place.

Bayley, who underwent a shoulder operation just to be able to compete in Melbourne, said she was happy to be part of the incredible atmosphere at the games. She said: "I've competed at big venues before, but I've never seen an arena so full in my life. There must have been 10,000 people there cheering us on.

"The crowd were very patriotic. They kept singing go Aussie go,' but they were also very nice to the other countries competing. It was a bit gutting to miss out on the bronze medal because the team came so close."

Bayley's world of tucks and tumbles was turned upside down when she missed out on the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2005 World Championships through injury. The latest chapter in her story of medical misfortune came as no surprise to the former John of Gaunt School pupil, but it was difficult to accept all the same.

She said: "My shoulder was still sore from the operation and that stopped me competing on the bars, but it was my foot that caused me more problems. "During practice I did a somersault and caught it on the side of the beam. I tore the ligament under my foot and also bruised part of the bone.

"The Welsh doctor gave me a few pain-killing injections before the competition to help me get through. I was worried but there was no way I was going to pull out after travelling to the other side of the world to compete."

Sam performed bravely but the injury forced her to alter her normal routine, with fewer high-tariff moves to impress the judges.

"I had to water down my floor routine," she said. "I took out one of the more difficult tumbles which was bound to have had an effect on my overall score."

Sam qualified for Wales through residency. The 17-year-old currently lives with Welsh national coach and mentor Tracey Skirton and her family in Glamorgan.

Her preparation for the Commonwealth Games was hampered by a succession of injuries leading up to the event, but Sam was not the only member of the Wales squad to suffer.

She said: "Only one member of our team was fully fit so we did really well to come fourth. Tracey was pleased with our performance because most of us spent our last week of training having physio.

"I thought some of the judging was a little suspect. Australia definitely deserved to win the gold but I think it was a big advantage competing in their home country."

Pre-Games fears over apathy among Australian sports fans were quickly put to bed as record numbers packed the MCG and the Rod Laver Arena for the 14-day competition.

Sam was star-struck as she met fellow Welsh competitors and international stars Jamie Baulch and Tanni Grey-Thompson in the purpose-built athletes' village.

She said: "There was a really good team spirit among all the athletes. The gymnastics competition finished in the first week so we got to see lots of other events, which was great.

"The whole of Melbourne was just full of people enjoying themselves and throwing parties. It was an amazing experience."

After the disappointment of missing out on a medal, Sam has set her sights on the British Gymnastics Championships in July "My aim is to add another medal to the silver I won last year," she said. "Hopefully my foot and my shoulder will be better by then and I can look to the future."