TRAINEE doctor Lewis Oliva stormed to cycling silver at the Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast – and then thanked his local student pub for keeping him supplied with Guinness.

And fellow Wyedean sports star Rosie Eccles is also guaranteed at least a bronze after defeating Tongan flag bearer Magan Maka 5-0 in the women’s 69kg welterwight boxing quarter-final.

Former Monmouth School pupil Oliva produced a storming last lap in the keirin final to hurl himself from the back of the pack into the medals.

Behind him were the likes of 2017 world keirin champion Mohd Azizulhasni from Malaysia, Kiwi Olympic medallist Sam Webster and Scottish world medallist Jack Carlin.

And the breathless Devauden rider said immediately afterwards: “I literally can’t believe it. Everything in the last two years has been building up to this and to beat these guys in the final is brilliant. I’m so stoked.”

All his rivals are full-time riders, but Oliva – who carried the Commonwealth baton at the Queen’s Baton Relay on Monmouth School for Boys’ playing fields last autumn – trains part-time with the Welsh cycling team while pursuing his studies at Cardiff University, having quit the GB squad last year.

And Oliva did it the hard way on the track too, having to qualify through the repechage second-chance race after missing out in the heats, before splitting world sprint champion Matt Glaetzer from Australia in gold and New Zealand’s Ed Dawkins in bronze.

“If you are going to come all the way to Australia you need to get your money’s worth and get an extra round in,” he joked. “And I would like to thank the Conway pub back in Pontcanna for supplying me with Guinness. Without you boys, I wouldn’t have done it, so cheers.”

Monmouth School for Boys headmaster Dr Andrew Daniel said: “Lewis balances his cycling with his medical studies at Cardiff University and everyone at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools is very proud of him. Lewis is an inspiration to the boys and a fantastic ambassador for the school.”

Chepstow’s Eccles only took up boxing at Chepstow ABC at 16 after joining a boxercise class, but will fight for a final place tonight (Wednesday, April 11) against Australian Kaye Scott.

After quarter-final victory on Sunday (April 8), the Cardiff Metropolitan sports psychology student posted: “Very happy to say that I won today and am through to the semi-finals. I cannot thank you all enough for the amazing support... I’m completely taken back by it all. I next fight on the 11th against Australia. One step closer to that gold medal.” 

Earlier, the 21-year-old former Chepstow School pupil had beaten Cameroon’s Aubiege Azangu 4-1 to make the quarter-finals.

Sharp-shooting netballer Chelsea Lewis, a coach at Monmouth School for Girls, has also impressed in a tough Commonwealth campaign.

Chelsea scored 21 goals – the joint-highest in her team – as Wales produced a spirited display in a 70-44 defeat to the mighty New Zealand in their opening Pool B match.

Chelsea also featured as Wales put up a tremendous fight in a narrow 51-47 defeat to Scotland and in a 85-31 loss to an impressive England on Monday.

Wales round off their pool fixtures against Malawi today (Wednesday, April 11).

And former Monmouth School head boy Hallam Amos’ Wales sevens rugby squad play Uganda and Sri Lanka in their pool matches this Saturday (April 14) before top seeds Fiji.