Sports Bulletin Report
Birmingham (UK):-The day began with India’s women securing bronze medal via a dramatic shoot-out, while Canada earnt 5th spot. In the afternoon the women’s gold medal match saw England win their first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in front of a delirious home crowd. The day ended with New Zealand’s men securing 5th place, a game that saw Wales confirm their highest ever games finish.
England 2 Australia 1 (Gold medal women)
England struck gold against Australia, winning their first Commonwealth Games gold medal.
The first quarter had all the hall-marks of a game of this magnitude as the sides looked to work each other out and get the upper hand. The last few minutes of the opening 15 featured a string of penalty corners for England, with Grace Balsdon seeing her first few efforts on goal dealt with by a firm Hockeyroos defence and keeper Aleisha Power.
It was to be England who would break the deadlock, as a fine touch and finish was executed to full effect by Holly Hunt on the 22nd minute. A good quarter became even better for the hosts - who were backed by a raucous crowd at the University of Birmingham – when 4 minutes later Tess Howard doubled the lead with a great touch into the Hockeyroos goal. A pair of great efforts had English fans dreaming as the players headed off for half-time.
The third period was a bit more cagey, as Australia looked to make inroads into the English lead. English keeper Madeleine Hinch was called into action, denying Stephanie Kershaw. After absorbing the Aussie pressure England looked to get back to their work, and with 5 minutes left of the period the lead was almost 3 when Anna Toman saw her penalty corner effort come back off the post. Another 15 were banked as the score remained 2-0 heading into the final period.
As Australia pushed on in search of a breakthrough it was a case of holding their nerve for England, they knew the Hockeyroos would put it all on the line in search of a comeback. Australia forced a number of penalty corners but keeper Hinch and her defence dealt with everything that was thrown their way. With 20 seconds to goal hearts would have been in England mouths when Ambrosia Malone finally got the Aussie goal from a penalty corner after some relentless attacking. However, it would prove to be too little too late as England held on for the 2-1 win.
For the hosts it was the stuff of dreams, a first Commonwealth Games gold medal on home soil, while Australia picked up their second consecutive silver medal.
Results (Women's Competition):
New Zealand 1 (1) India 1 (2) (Bronze medal match women)
Umpires: Rachel Williams (ENG) Aleisha Neumann (AUS) Cathy Wright (WAL-video)
Canada 3 Scotland 1 (Classification 5-6 women)
Umpires: Katrina Turner (NZL) Hannah Harrison (ENG) Rhiannon Murrie (AUS-video)
England 2 Australia 1 (Gold medal women)
Umpires: Amber Church (NZL) Wanri Venter (RSA) Cathy Wright (WAL-video)
Results Men’s Competition
New Zealand 2 Wales 1 (Classification 5-6 men)
Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG) Nick Bennett (ENG) Sean Rapaport (RSA-video)
