Kate Howey claimed a hard-fought silver to give Britain's beleaguered judo team a massive lift after a miserable week in Sydney.

Howey, a bronze medal winner at the 1992 Games, almost claimed Britain's first ever gold medal in the event but was defeated in a closely fought bout by reigning world champion and pre-Games favourite Sibelis Veranes of Cuba.

The final began badly for Howey with Veranes earning seven points for a waza-ari early in the bout but the 27-year-old from Andover, Hants, refused to give in and earned five penalty points when her opponent erred under pressure.

Despite her brave efforts she could not get the decisive score she required and Veranes managed to cling on to the gold.

"I'm happy with a medal - especially silver," said Howey, after taking Britain's tally for the Games to nine.

On her way to the final she defeated Edith Bosch of the Netherlands, Daniela Yael Krukower of Argentina and Ursula Martin of Spain in a tense semi-final.

Howey's success will raise spirits in the British judo team after a miserable start to the Games.

World light middleweight champion Graeme Randell was knocked out in the first round, and morale deteriorated further when Debbie Allan was controversially disqualified for weighing in over the limit.

In the men's 90 kg event Mark Huizinga of Holland defeated Carlos Honorato of Brazil to claim gold.