There was disappointment for a former junior at Welwyn Rugby Club as GB missed out on a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

Helena Rowland was part of the squad that fell to a 21-12 defeat against Fiji in the battle for the third step on the podium.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: A dejected Great Britain squad after defeat to Fiji in the bronze medal match in the Tokyo Olympics rugby sevens.A dejected Great Britain squad after defeat to Fiji in the bronze medal match in the Tokyo Olympics rugby sevens. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

The ladies came through the group stage, where Rowland bagged the first try in the game with New Zealand, and defeated USA in the quarter-finals.

But a 26-19 loss to France in the semi-final ended hopes of a shot at gold and then the Fijians took their chances in the bronze medal play-off.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Fiji's Vasiti Solikoviti (centre) is tackled by Great Britain's Megan Jones (left) and Deborah Fleming during the rugby sevens women's bronze medal match.Fiji's Vasiti Solikoviti (centre) is tackled by Great Britain's Megan Jones (left) and Deborah Fleming during the rugby sevens women's bronze medal match. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

It followed the same heartache for the men who also fell to defeat in the third-fourth place game.

Jasmine Joyce said: "It’s unfortunate but as a programme we have only been together for five months.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Great Britain's Megan Jones scores her side's second try of the rugby sevens women's bronze medal match.Great Britain's Megan Jones scores her side's second try of the rugby sevens women's bronze medal match. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

“Six months ago, we had absolutely nothing, so to come out here and finish fourth, not a lot of people expected that.

“With what we can do together in six months, God knows what we could have done, even with just an extra month.

"I can guarantee we would have won gold."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Helena Rowland (right) keeps an eye on Fiji's Reapi Ulunisau as she tackled by GB team-mate Holly Aitchison in the rugby sevens bronze medal match.Helena Rowland (right) keeps an eye on Fiji's Reapi Ulunisau as she tackled by GB team-mate Holly Aitchison in the rugby sevens bronze medal match. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

New Zealand did claim the gold medal.