WITH a medal from the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games to her name already, Gwent bowls ace Ann Sutherland (pictured) knows her sport.

Sutherland became one of Wales' oldest medal winners on her Games debut at the age of 54 when she masterminded a bronze-winning display alongside team-mate Rita Jones in the pairs competition.

Four-years on and the bowls tactician is plotting medal success once again, this time in the fours.

"Another medal would certainly be nice," beamed Sutherland. "We are very hopeful, but a lot depends on the draw. It's a slightly different format to the Games in Kuala Lumpur.

"There we had two groups, but this time there will be four, meaning we have to get into the top four. That's our first main aim, to get into the quarter-finals." Sutherland is still on tenterhooks waiting for the final group draw to be made. But with 20-years experience she has already singled out the teams she doesn't want to face early on.

"England and Scotland will both field strong sides. Australia and South Africa will be up there fighting for a medal too. To be honest though, you can't disregard any of the emerging nations. The competition will definitely be tough," Sutherland admitted.

The Cwmbran-based bowler will head Wales' medal bid in Manchester as lead bowler. Her role is crucial. Not only does she place the jack, but she also lays the founding bowls for her teammates to follow.

"Lead is my specialist position. It's the one I've always played. This will be our first competition together so we've done a lot of team bonding in preparation.

"That will play a big part in success. Although we know each other as friends, playing together is a different matter.

"The tactics of fours is a lot different to singles. In fours we have to work as a team if we are going to win a medal," Sutherland, who plays with Croesyceiliog Bowls Club, warned.

The mother of two has been busy juggling her role as a housewife to husband Garth between competing at national level in the Welsh Rink Championship.

Alongside preparations for the Games, she admits life is hectic to say the least. "There's certainly a lot going on at the moment but I'm enjoying it. The experience in Kuala Lumpur was tremendous and I'm really excited about Manchester now. We've practised on the greens in Manchester already. Now we just have to put the practice into motion."

The bowls team swing into action at Heaton Park on July 26.