A TYLDESLEY water polo ace is starting to come down to earth after a whirlwind few weeks.

Lauren Tasker’s recent success includes helping the Great Britain’s Womens water polo team to gold at the Commonwealth Championships.

She also captained the City of Liverpool team to the national title in the ASA National Age Group Under-19s Water Polo finals.

But her success is even greater considering the obstacles she faced in the past 12 months.

She said: “It has been overwhelming.

“It was a shock as last year I had a groin injury to come back from.

“This year, I wanted to get back fit but to get picked for the Commonwealths was great and more than I expected.

“We went into the competition knowing it was not as strong as previous games. I managed to play in most of the games except the final but being on the bench was a great experience.”

“I was one of three young players in the squad as the rest were in their 20s and was ecstatic.

“I think the experience of winning at such a big event will help me in the future.”

Tasker followed it up with success with the City of Liverpool side which included Tyldesley team-mates Grace Morley, Hayley Price and Grace Rowland.

“We knew we were up against it as Manchester won it last time.

“In the final we were 4-1 after two minutes but we came back in the second period and they could not cope and we won.”

Tasker admitted her success was down to her coaches at the Pelican Centre in Tyldesley.

“I started when I was 13 or 14 and that kept me going and they have been supportive all the time.

“I am grateful to my coaches Paul Costello, Dennis Price and Lee Toone.”