NEWPORT'S Anneliese Heard is one of the world's most promising triathletes - and proved that yesterday.

Bassaleg-based Heard finished ninth in the three-discipline event at Manchester's Salford Quays and, at just 20, she was the youngest competitor in the 21-woman field.

But it was her Welsh teammate Leanda Cave, who trains with Heard at Bath University, who stole the headlines, winning silver behind Canadian Carol Montgomery in the inaugural Commonwealth Triathlon.

Waving the Welsh flag, Heard crossed the finish line in two hours six minutes 52.79 seconds - three minutes 34.93secs behind Montgomery - then revealed she had been suffering from a leg problem going into the Games.

Heard, ranked 76th in the world, hopped on to her bike after the first leg swim in third position but had dropped down to seventh when she began the run.

Gasping for breath after the 1.5 killometre swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run, Heard smiled: "The swim and bike sections of the race were really good for me.

"And the run was solid but the last lap was hard."

The former double world junior champion admitted: "I've been struggling with a shin injury for the past three months, but, with a month of thorough training before the Games, it felt OK."

Turning towards the huge crowds, estimated at around 70,000, Heard thanked her band of supporters.

"They were awesome," she beamed. "When you pass the crowd and they are shouting your name it gives you a huge lift. It was amazing.

"I wanted a top 10 finish and that is what I've got, so to say I'm really pleased is an understatement."

But there is no time for Heard to relax as she will have to be back in training within a week as she prepares for the World qualifying competition.

Heard gave her pal and Welsh colleague 24-year-old Cave a big hug after the energy-sapping race and said: "I knew she could do it."

Lincolnshire-born Cave, whose parents are Welsh, was also confident before the race admitting: "I thought I had a good chance of getting a medal.

"It was always going to be a fight from the start," she added.

"I had to finish the swim with the leaders.

"I worked hard on the bike leg but my legs had gone during the run - they felt awful. I really thought I was going to flop and come fourth.

"But I had so much support from the crowd and that is what took me round.

"Coming second here was beyond my wildest expectations."

Meanwhile, Bridgend's Marc Jenkins was the highest-placed Welshman in the men's triathlon, finishing 10th with fellow townsman David Haines coming 13th. Cardiff's Richard Haines finished 18th. Canada's Simon Whitfield took gold.