WINCHESTER’S Ben Steele admitted he couldn’t have felt more proud to be British after claiming a sensational gold medal in wheelchair rugby at the inaugural Invictus Games.

Steele was part of a British team that came through a nail-biting final with the USA as a last-gasp try sealed a 13-12 win at the Copper Box at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Britain and the USA were locked at 12-12 going into final minute but Steele was celebrating victory after Charlie Walker scored with just 15 seconds remaining.

And Steele, an ex-Royal Air Force and Military Provost Guard Service servant, revealed the extent of his amazement at the win at the inaugural Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover.

“We really worked hard for it and the whole team deserve it. It’s by far the highlight of the Games for me,” he said. “At first I was nervous but as soon as we got into the game and got the crowd behind us it was fine, they kept us going.

“It made me proud to be British to play in front of Prince Harry and it felt like the whole country was watching. The team is full of determination. We did expect to get the gold to an extent, that’s what we wanted.

“We knew it wouldn’t be easy and that we’d probably be in the final with the Americans, but we really worked hard. I have to say Prince Harry has been amazing. He’s a top bloke and words can’t describe him really.”

The Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover and championed by Prince Harry, is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick service personnel.

Steele had his left leg amputated from the knee after a motorcycle accident in 2012 but discovered wheelchair rugby at Headley Court, the RAF’s rehabilitation centre, and hasn’t looked back since.

“I’d never heard of it before and to be honest I’ve probably done more sport since I was injured,” he said. “Sport like this is not just good physically; it’s good mentally as well.

“You’re with all the lads and ladies with other injuries, and you get together and have some banter as well as the sport. You’re talking to each other, looking after each other and helping each other. Hopefully I can go on to another Invictus Games. With any luck this will be the start of many and it would be good to see other countries doing the same as well.”

Jaguar Land Rover is proud to be the presenting partner of the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel. For more information visit www.jaguar.com and www.landrover.com