SOUTHAMPTON AC’s Sophie Merritt will be returning from the Commonwealth Youth Games with at least one medal in the bag.

The thrilling news the club woke up to this morning was that overnight 17-year-old Merritt had finished third for England in the women’s discus in Samoa.

There was an Australia one-two with Kristina Moore and compatriot Bianca Hensen pocketing gold and silver with throws of 46.95 and 46.20 metres respectively.

Merritt, the pride of Peter Symonds College, Winchester, threw 44.83m for bronze – just 50cm short of her personal best – to claim a place on the podium at the medal ceremony.

Newbridge-based Merritt, who is coached in Southampton by Dave Callaway, is due to return to action overnight in the women’s shot put.

Clubmate Oli Bromby from Shirley will run for England in the men’s 4x100m relay, having already placed fourth in the individual event.