DRINKERS at an Oxford pub held a suprise homecoming party for the city’s only Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

Just 24 hours after archer Nichola Simpson flew home from Delhi, fellow locals at the Jack Russell pub in Marston arranged a disco and buffet to mark her triumph.

Mrs Simpson, 53, won gold in the women’s compound archery – which uses smaller bows – alongside Nicky Hunt and Danielle Brown last Thursday, beating Canada 232-229 in the final.

The trio’s victory secured England’s first archery medal at the Commonwealth Games since 1982.

Back home, friends had gathered in the Salford Road pub to watch her triumph, and vowed to give her a night to remember on her return.

A shocked Mrs Simpson said: “It is fantastic that everyone is here. They have all given great support over the whole year, but I never expected anything like this.”

Earlier in the week, Mrs Simpson suffered a surprise defeat in the first round of the individual competition.

But she said she had to forget her disappointment and focus on winning the team gold two days later.

She said: “I’ve given up two-and-a-half years for this. It was the only way left to win that gold medal.

“We started off slow, and at one point we were behind. But we got stronger and stronger.

“The best moment was when Nicky hit the last shot in and we knew we had won.

“When she was at full draw, I heard the commentator say she needed an eight to win.

“I knew damn well she would hit a 10.”

Her husband Ian, 56, who coached the South African archery team at the 2004 Olympics, watched the final at their home in Lewell Avenue, Marston.

He said: “I’ve seen her shoot enough targets to think it is all quite normal.

“But I still got on the phone to her straight after she won. I was over the moon.”

The mum-of-three gave up her job at the Bodleian Library two years ago to concentrate on preparing for the games.

Every day, she trains from 9.30am to 3pm at Oxford Archers’ base at Oxford Rugby Football Club in North Hinksey.

After a fortnight’s rest, she will be back competing at indoor championships in Holland.

Jack Russell landlady Caroline Griffin said: “It is brilliant to have our own gold medallist drinking in here.

“We have all the newspaper cuttings up in our sports bar and even though it was in the morning we had quite a few people in here to watch the final.”

Friend Sue Bennett, 54, added: “It was fabulous to see her on the podium getting her gold medal, and know she is so humble about her achievement.”

Because compound archery is not an Olympic sport, the Commonwealth Games gold is the highest honour a competitor can win.