‘A dream come true’ was how Emily Martin and Robyn Birch described the moment they realised they had secured bronze in the women’s synchronised 10m platform at Birmingham 2022.

The English pairing had hovered around third place for much of the competition and boosted their chances of coming away with a Commonwealth medal with a high-scoring fourth drive.

But after a nervous wait following their fifth and final dive, the scoreboard flashed up the scores they needed to claim third place behind teammates Eden Cheng and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix.

And Surrey’s Birch admitted that the seconds after their bronze medal was confirmed felt like nothing else, she had ever experienced as they celebrated in front of a raucous crowd.

"When we did our last dive, we weren't sure. I don't normally look at the scores but looking at the scoreboard and realising that we got a medal was just amazing,” said the 28-year-old.

“It's like a dream really. I've dived with Eden and Andrea as a synchro pairing so we're all just here for each other and the support in the team, especially in the diving team, is great.

“It's so good to be on the podium together. Diving on your own can be a little bit tough sometimes but diving in a synchro partnership makes it so much more fun.

“You can share your experience with somebody else. Me and Emily get along so well so it's like sharing it with my best friend. The crowd is so uplifting.

“Beforehand we were worried we would get more nervous, but I actually think taking part and going through it, the crowd was there for you, and it motivated us and supported us.”

This summer, Team England, supported by funding raised by National Lottery players, comprises of over 400 athletes, all vying for medal success.

Birch and Martin finished with a total score of 287.88 from their five dives, 18.12 behind the winners and gold medallists Charli Petrov and Melissa Wu from Australia.

Fellow England duo Cheng and Spendolini-Sirieix also delivered when it mattered, producing a brilliant final effort for a dive score of 76.80 - the highest of the final.

That took their total to 298.86 as they leapfrogged the Canadians and their England teammates to finish in second, completing a memorable night for the hosts at Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

For Southampton’s Martin, who had only just recovered from an accident that required stitches in her face, the medal was a welcome reward after a rollercoaster build up to the Games.

"I think we went in there just looking to enjoy it so to come out with a medal is even better. We really enjoyed the experience. The fans are amazing,” said Martin.

“All the crowd was amazing. It's the best feeling. You can't recreate that feeling. Standing next to anyone makes it even better but standing next to your best friend tops it off.

“Leading into the competition I didn't feel great. I had a bit of an accident before the Commonwealth Games, so the first few days I wasn't in the pool.

“So, for me to compete was amazing. It was a little accident. I swam into the wall. I had stitches in my face, so it wasn’t the best lead up, but we’ve done it anyway and that’s what matters.”

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