The Duchess of Cambridge cheers Team GB to medal success

The Duchess of Cambridge was captain of her school hockey team but on Friday Kate turned expert cheerleader for the British women's team as they claimed an Olympic bronze medal.

Kate sat with gold medal winners Dame Kelly Holmes and Katherine Grainger as she cheered the Team GB women to victory against New Zealand.

After the match Kate, who was wearing a white Team GB T-shirt, hugged team captain Kate Walsh and praised the players.

The Duchess, who captained her first XI at Marlborough College, also visited the team during pre-Games training at the park.

Walsh, who fractured her jaw when she was hit by a stick during a game last week, said: "She said congratulations and we all looked like we'd worked so hard, she gave me a little hug and just said I was really brave.

"She's played. She played a lot at school, so she knows the game, although the game's moved on a little bit from when she played. Still she loves watching, it's brilliant to have her there in the crowd."

The hockey bronze came as Britain scored more Olympic success with its sailors and boxers all adding to its medal tally.

There were silvers for sailors Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark, and Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell.

Friday's action meant Team GB's medal haul at London 2012 increased to 57 - 25 gold, 15 silver and 17 bronze.

But there was disappointment for gold medal hopeful Shanaze Reade, who could only finish sixth in the women's BMX at the Velopark.

Two boxers made their way through to today's finals, securing the chance to go for gold and meaning Britain is guaranteed at least two more silvers.

Luke Campbell, 24, from Hull, will take on his family friend John Joe Nevin, of Ireland, as he bids to fulfil his lifelong ambition of winning an Olympic title.

Welshman Fred Evans, who has delighted crowds with his no-holds-barred approach, will also hope to continue his magnificent run in the welterweight division.

Earlier in the day on Friday, a bronze medal went to Anthony Ogogo, from Suffolk, who was floored twice while losing in his semi-final.

Belfast fighter Paddy Barnes also came away with bronze in the light-flyweight division, as did Irish boxer Michael Conlan who lost his flyweight contest.

Meanwhile, British hopes for success in the 1,500m were dashed when Lisa Dobriskey, 28, finished in 10th, just ahead of fellow Team GB runner Laura Weightman, 21.

But for Dobriskey, just reaching the final - won by Turkish athlete Asli Cakir Alptekin - was an achievement, coming after she battled back from potentially life-threatening blood clots on her lungs.

In taekwondo, Britain's Lutalo Muhammad, 21, earned himself a bronze medal after beating Arman Yeremyan of Armenia in the under-80kg category at the ExCeL.

London-born Muhammad, controversially chosen ahead of world number one Aaron Cook, lost his quarter-final bout but was thrown a lifeline when the Spaniard who beat him went on to secure a place in the final.

Boxer Anthony Joshua also beat Kazakhstan's Ivan Dychko in his semi-final bout to secure his place in Sunday's final and at least another silver for Team GB.