HARTLEPOOL’S Jemma Lowe overcame a serious case of the jitters to claim 100m butterfly bronze at the Commonwealth Games – and breathed a huge sigh of relief that it was over.

Lowe – who finished sixth in the 100m butterfly at the Beijing Olympics – qualified second fastest for the final but proceeded to play down her medal chances.

However she was on form adding 100m butterfly bronze to Jazmin Carlin’s 200m freestyle silver for Wales after touching home in 58.42seconds less than a second behind Australian winner Alicia Coutts.

Lowe’s home nations rival Ellen Gandy took silver for England in 57.66seconds but the 20-year-old admitted she didn’t think that would be the case after being struck down by nerves beforehand.

“I was so nervous before that event, I was shaking so much but I just really wanted a medal and I managed to do it which is great,” said Lowe – who still has the 200m butterfly to come.

“I got pins and needles all over and I was shaking but I controlled them although I could not believe how nervous I was.

“It is hard to say what my main event is now. At the Olympics I came sixth in the 100m butterfly but both my coaches say I am better at the 200m.”

Meanwhile, David Daniell is ready to do whatever it takes to stake his claim for another major Games place at London 2012, following his breakthrough performances in Delhi.

New rules will limit every nation to one entry per event at the Olympics – with defending champion Chris Hoy favourite to take the berth in both the sprint and keirin.

That might force new Commonwealth keirin silver medallist Daniell, from Middlesbrough, to focus on forcing his way into the threeman team sprint – where he’ll be up against the experienced Ross Edgar and Olympic silver medallist Jason Kenny, among others.

“This is all about gaining experience for 2012. It’s amazing to be here, it’s amazing to get a medal,” he said.

“Every race I go into I hope to do well so I can nail my place in the team, especially with the British team with it being so strong.

“I still feel I’ve got to learn a lot in the keirin in terms of tactics. I can get more out of my legs and I can train my legs but I’ve really got to sit down this year and build my tactical knowledge.”

Daniell was eliminated in the quarter-finals of the men’s sprint by eventual silver medallist, Australia’s Scott Sunderland.

Elsewhere, Vicki Barr, from Chester-le-Street, admitted she had no excuses for failing to make the 400m final in Delhi.

While there have been plenty of athletes from all sports blaming the infamous ‘Delhi Belly’, Barr refused to blame the heat, or any other issues as she finished fourth in yesterday’s semi final.

The 28-year-old, who will also take part in the relay, clocked a below-par 53.51 seconds to miss out on the final.

She said: “I am not too sure what happened but I know I am better than 53.51. I just do not feel right. My legs weren’t working like they usually do and it’s just gutting really.”

In the table tennis England’s hopes of a medal are still alive after Loftus’ Paul Drinkhall, Liam Pitchford and Northampton-born Andy Baggaley won a hard-fought quarter-final with Malaysia.

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