Rio 2016: We Have Our First Medal!

Publish Date: Monday, 8 August 2016, 7:19AM

Natalie Rooney qualified fifth for this morning's finals, netting 68 points in the first rounds. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's first Olympic medal has come from an unexpected source, with Timaru shooter Natalie Rooney collecting silver in the women's trap.

Rooney, who only just secured her placed at the Games after collecting the final Oceania quota spot, was defeated by Australia's Catherine Skinner 12-11 in the gold medal match this morning.

In a tightly fought contest, Skinner missed her opening two shots of the shoot-off, giving Rooney the early advantage. But the Kiwi faltered through the middle stages, missing her sixth and seventh shots to bring it back to parity. Rooney then dropped her ninth shot to hand the Australian the lead.

From there Skinner, who Rooney beat at the Oceania Championships to qualify, held her nerve to claim the gold.

Rooney, competing in her first Olympics, showed impressive composure through the finals to secure her place in the gold medal match, guaranteeing New Zealand's first Olympic medal.