BARRHEAD’S David Smith has bowed out of the Commonwealth Games at the first attempt despite a battling performance at Hampden Park.

The 23-year-old former Barrhead High School pupil had been enjoying a fine run of form in the run up to the Games but couldn’t produce the performance needed on Monday morning to progress to tonight’s (Wednesday’s) final.

And Smith was quick to admit he had not performed well enough to get through — but warned he is still on the hunt for more trophies this season.

He said: “It is not what I had hoped for.

“I will keep working and I will be at the Scottish Championships at Kilmarnock.

“Everyone tells me there is a big jump in there and I believe that, too. It was a good experience to compete at the Games at my age and I will learn from it.” Smith’s jump of 2.11m proved not to be high enough as Englishman Chris Baker led the way the way with a leap of 2.20m — setting the benchmark for the rest of competitors.

Baker’s jump was matched by the majority of the field including Donald Thomas from the Bahamas and Michael Mason of Canada, who both progress to Wednesday’s final showdown.

Monday’s performance leaves Smith with the Scottish Championships to look forward to later this year.

Taking place at the Ayrshire Athletics Arena on August 16, Smith will be hoping to reach the heights he was previously hitting before the Games.