ROB Paxton described representing England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games as a “fantastic experience”, having returned to Somerset with a bronze medal.

The 39-year-old bowls star represents Ilminster Bowling Club in the indoor version of the sport, and has previously played for Taunton Deane.

Speaking to the County Gazette in Taunton last Friday, he said: “It was a fantastic experience.

“It would have been nice to have a bit more off time, but it was so hectic from the start to the end, and when you’re in competition you’re focused on that.

“But it was a great experience being in the village with all the other professional athletes.”

Paxton had given his confidence a boost heading into the Gold Coast Games by reaching the final of the World Indoor Championships, though he admitted it took some time to get to grips with the conditions Down Under.

He said: “The first week we found a bit harder as a team – it rained and the greens were a bit slower – but come the second week the sun was out and the greens got quicker, which suited us as a team, with the results probably reflecting that.”

He skipped England to the quarter-finals of the men’s triples, only for them to suffer a surprise exit to Norfolk Island.

“The triples was disappointing, given the strength of team we had – David [Bolt], Jamie [Chestney] and me,” Paxton said.

“We were expecting good things but we didn’t quite fire, and the heavier greens didn’t help us.

“But after that we just had our heads back on for the fours and the singles for me – a completely different event, and another chance for a medal.”

The singles saw him beat world champion Shannon McIlroy twice, once in the group stage and then in the last eight.

Come the semi-finals, Paxton lost out to eventual gold medal winner Aaron Wilson, tipping him into the bronze medal match with Darren Burnett of Scotland.

Paxton led 10-4, then went 14-10 down, but rebounded from there to win 21-14.

“It was a strange game,” he said.

“I came out well, but in the evenings the greens do slow down quickly, I lost the pace for two or three ends, and Darren stepped into that and went 14-10 up.

“I had to knuckle down; get back into the weight. I managed to pick up a few ends and got over the line.

“Four shots [14-10 down] is nothing in singles, so I knew it was crucial that I won the next end.

“I picked up the three [in the 16th end] and powered on from there.”

On the podium, he said he was “happy and disappointed”, having been gunning for gold.

“It was the following day when it really sunk in, that I’d won Commonwealth bronze.

“The medal, even a bronze, is one of my biggest achievements ever.

“I’ve won titles, indoor and outdoor, at World Championships, but with the Commonwealth Games you’re not just talking about bowls, you’re representing England.”