IMAGE| MICHAEL WILLSON
Australia started its strong team sport finals campaign with wins by the Kookaburras and Opals. For the Kookaburras it was their sixth consecutive gold. There was history made in the table tennis with their first gold in Commonwealth Games history, when para-athlete Milly Tapper won the Women’s TT6-10 Singles. Squash won their first gold of the Games in the mixed doubles and boxing won three gold.
GOLD MEDALS (10)
Boxing Men’s 60kg Harry GARSIDE
Boxing Women’s 57kg Skye NICOLSON
Boxing Women’s 60kg Anja STRIDSMAN Australia
Cycling – Road Men’s Road Race Steele VON HOFF
Cycling – Road Women’s Road Race Chloe HOSKING
Squash Mixed Doubles Donna URQUHART Cameron PILLEY
Table Tennis 1 Women’s TT6-10 Singles Melissa TAPPER
Basketball – women Australia Elizabeth CAMBAGE Stephanie BLICAVS Stephanie TALBOT Tessa LAVEY Jenna O’HEA Alice KUNEK Ezi MAGBEGOR Kelsey GRIFFIN Katie EBZERY Belinda SNELL Cayla GEORGE Nicole SEEKAMP
Hockey – men Australia Lachlan SHARP Tom CRAIG Jake HARVIE Mark KNOWLES Edward OCKENDEN Aaron KLEINSCHMIDT Flynn OGILVIE Dylan WOTHERSPOON Andrew CHARTER Trent MITTON Tom WICKHAM Matthew DAWSON Jeremy EDWARDS Jacob WHETTON Blake GOVERS Aran ZALEWSKI Daniel BEALE Tyler LOVELL Jeremy HAYWARD
Diving Men’s 10m Platform Domonic BEDGGOOD
SILVER MEDALS (6)
Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Maddison KEENEY
Hockey Australian Gabrielle NANCE Brooke PERIS Emily HURTZ Jodie KENNY Karri MCMAHON Edwina BONE Stephanie KERSHAW Kaitlin NOBBS Jordyn HOLZBERGER Jocelyn BARTRAM Renee TAYLOR Madi RATCLIFFE Ashlea FEY Emily SMITH Rachael LYNCH Grace STEWART Savannah FITZPATRICK Jane CLAXTON
Athletics Men’s Javelin Throw Hamish PEACOCK
Boxing Men’s 91kg Jason WHATELEY
Boxing Women’s 75kg Caitlin PARKER
Shooting Queen’s Prize Individual Jim BAILEY
BRONZE MEDALS (3)
Athletics Women’s High Jump Nicola McDERMOTT
Diving Women’s 3m Springboard Anabelle SMITH
Table Tennis 1 Women’s TT6-10 Singles Andrea MCDONNELL
ATHLETICS
Australia closed their track athletics program with two medals in the field. Hamish Peacock, bronze medallist in Glasgow, was expected to be on the dais again, but Central Coast high jumper Nicola McDermott was a surprise bronze medallist in the high jump. Leaping a personal best (PB) of 1.91m, her clearer sheet was critical as she cleared the same height as Canadian Alyxandria Treasure, but took the medal on countback. The depth of Australian sprinting was on show in the men’s 4x100m relay and it was impressive mixing it with sprinting powerhouses England, Jamaica and South Africa. The team of Trae Williams, Rohan Browning, Jack Hale and Josh Clarke placed a close fourth. The strong recent international record of the women’s 4x400m continued in Carrara stadium with a close fifth from the team of Anneliese Rubie, Caitlin Sargeant-Jones, Lauren Wells and Morgan Mitchell. Celia Sullohern backed up her tremendous international debut in the 10,000m, with a fifth place in the 5000m.
BADMINTON
It was a disappointing day for Australia’s number one seeds in the women’s singles at the badminton.
Setyana Mapasa and Gronja Somerville were outplayed in the semis by their English opponents Lauren Smith and Sarah Walker 21-15 21-15. They struggled in the first game, but had a lead of four in the second. However, England peeled off 10 of the next 11 points to move into tomorrow’s gold medal match up.
In the bronze medal play off it was the number one seeds in action against India the number two seeds, after India was upset by Malaysia in the semis. It was a tight and entertaining match including a 51 stroke rally won by Australia in the first game. India opened up a 4 point advantage at 18-14, before the tough Australian outfit pulled the deficit back. However, they went down 21-19.
In the second the Australians got off to a great start leading 4-luv, but got reeled in by the Indian pair of Reddy and Ponappa, who eventually closed the match out to snare the bronze medal 21-19.
It was a gallant performance from the Australians, but they were clearly shattered that they missed out on an opportunity to add to Australia’s 12 badminton medals despite being seeded number one.
BASKETBALL – MEN
The Australian Boomers have won through to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games basketball gold medal match and in the process ended the fairy tale run of basketball minnow Scotland.
Australia never looked threatened in an assured performance that failed to leave any doubt that the Boomers would be advancing to play off for gold and keep our Commonwealth Games basketball stranglehold alive.
The Boomers will face surprise semifinal victor Canada after the third-placed side from the group stage sunk New Zealand with a buzzer-beating basket.
The gold medal game will be played at 11:30 AM at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
BASKETBALL – WOMEN
Australia has overcome the sensational ejection of star player Liz Cambage to deliver Opal legend Belinda Snell a gold medal in her final game of international competition.
The Opals shone in the final game of the women’s tournament, rolling past England 99-55.
Cambage was given a technical foul during a discussion with a referee, just under a minute after receiving an unsportsmanlike foul, which disqualified her with 6:34 left to play in the first half.
Cayla George and Kelsey Griffen picked up the slack in her absense and the Opals prevailed to win back-to-back gold.
BOXING
A trio of Australian boxers have triumphed to become the King and Queens of the Commonwealth in their divisions tonight, with Skye Nicolson, Anja Stridsman and Harry Garside all collecting gold at their first Commonwealth Games.
22-year-old Skye Nicolson visualised winning gold at her first Commonwealth Games and the golden girl of the boxing world’s premonition has come true after defeating Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh 3-2 in the 57 kilograms division. Nicolson, who comes from a dynasty of boxers, was coronated tonight. She achieved what so many thought she wouldn’t be able to do, not just for herself and Australia, but for her two boxing brothers, one of which was Commonwealth bronze medallist Jamie Nicolson who died before she was born.
A true underdog going into this Commonwealth Games was Swedish born Anja Stridsman who proved tonight an ACL is not crucial for a Commonwealth Games gold medal, after she upset English boxer Paige Murney 5-0.
20-year-old Harry Garside also won gold today, proving he has fight and determination to fuel a bright career ahead of him. He defeated India’s Manish Kaushik, in the 60kg division, claiming “I had to bring the A-game for this bout, and I got the chocolates.”
Jason Whateley was not so successful but will come away from this Commonwealth Games with silver, after being defeated by Kiwi David Nyika who claimed gold. Caitlin Parker also lost her gold medal bout to Lauren Price of Wales 4-1.
CYCLING – ROAD
Chloe Hosking hung on during a bunch sprint finish to win the gold medal in the women’s road race at the Commonwealth Games.
Hosking held off several challenges over the last 200 metres from eventual silver medal winner Georgia Williams of New Zealand and Welsh rider Danielle Rowe, who finished third.
The Aussie team of six riders rode a superbly controlled race, allowing Hosking to sweep past the front pack over the final stretch on the Currumbin beachfront.
Hosking had to fight back tears after crossing the line, and credited her five teammates for helping set up her triumph.
DIVING
On the final night of diving events at Optus Aquatic Centre, we have continued to see the high-quality competition expected from a Commonwealth Games contingent, winning a gold, silver and bronze over two events. In the women’s three metre springboard, three Aussie ladies were on show with Maddison Keeney completing a spectacular forward 2 ½ somersaults 2 twists in the fifth round to achieve 85 points to clinch the silver medal. Keeney was just 0.40 of a point behind the gold medallist from Canada. Anabelle Smith also saved her best dive for last, an inward 2 ½ somersaults, scoring a high 72.0 to land in the bronze medal place. Esther Qin had a strong start but was unable to make a comeback, finishing in fifth place.
Domonic Bedggood absolutely dominated the pool in the men’s 10m platform on Saturday night. Scoring a massive 90 points with his first dive and 85 for his third, Bedggood gave himself a substantial lead early on which was crucial in securing the 23-year-old the gold medal. Matthew Barnard and Declan Stacey also pulled off some quality dives, however, they were unable to keep up with Bedggood and the other podium finishers (England and Canada).
HOCKEY – WOMEN
Disaster for Australia, euphoria for New Zealand! The Hockeyroos have finished runners up in the CG2018 hockey competition, falling to trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in the gold medal match.
The Black Sticks deservedly grabbed the gold, convincingly defeating the Roos, 4-1. Shiloh Gloyn, Rose Keddell, Olivia Merry and Anita McLaren all netted for the visitors, whilst Jodie Kenny pulled a goal back for the Aussies from a penalty corner with 11 minutes to play but the Kiwis clinched it late – after Australian removed goalkeeper Rachael Lynch for an outfield player – when McLaren’s penalty corner took a deflection. The New Zealand women’s side had never won a Commonwealth Games hockey gold medal before today.
NETBALL
Australia will face England in the 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Medal Match, after recording their highest ever Commonwealth Games score against New Zealand in the semi-final.
The Diamonds’ previous Commonwealth Games record against New Zealand was 58 goals in regular time, in Glasgow 2014. They also eclipsed their biggest score recorded in extended extra time, of 64 goals in 2010.
The Australians showed great patience under immense defence pressure from New Zealand, utilising all options across the court.
Australia starting seven – GS: Caitlin Bassett, GA: Susan Pettitt, WA: Madi Robinson, C: Kim Ravaillion, WD: Gabi Simpson, GD: Jo Weston, GK: Laura Geitz
Quarter by Quarter Score:
Q1: AUS 18 – NZL 12
Q2: AUS 32 – NZL 21
Q3: AUS 50 – NZL 30
Q4: AUS 65 – NZL 44
Shooting Statistics:
Caitlin Bassett 17/18 (94%)
Susan Pettitt 15/16 (94%)
Caitlin Thwaites 24/25 (96%)
Stephanie Wood 9/12 (75%)
RUGBY SEVENS – MEN
The Australian men’s Rugby Sevens have bowed out of medal contention at the Commonwealth Games following a heartbreaking defeat to England in their final pool game. Australia opened their campaign with impressive wins over Samoa and then Jamaica before a tight tussle against the old enemy fell in favour of England 26-17. Andy Friend’s side had opened up a handy seven-point lead midway through the first half but coughed up possession and England capitalised to have the scores level at the break. Australia couldn’t assert any ascendency on England in the second half though and will now face Kenya tomorrow (Sunday) to determine final standings.
RUGBY SEVENS – WOMEN
The Australian women’s Rugby Sevens side have qualified for the semifinals following a hard-fought 17-10 win over Fiji on Saturday. The Olympic champions will play Canada in the semifinal at 10:59 AM AEST on Sunday. Charlotte Caslick saved Australia’s blushes with a two-try effort to sink Fiji, as Australia were pressured in attack and coughed up plenty of possession. The pig-tailed playmaker delighted the sold out crowd at Robina Stadium as she raced away to score her double, including one 60 metre solo effort down the right wing.
SHOOTING
Team Australia shooter Jim Bailey won the silver medal in the individual full-bore rifle Queen’s Prize. Bailey finished close behind Englishman David Luckman, who set a new Games record score of 404-49v to Bailey’s 403-50v. Luckman’s English teammate Parag Patel picked up the bronze with 403-45v, while Bailey’s compatriot Ben Emms finished ninth. In accordance with the tradition of the annual Prize event, which dates back to 1860, Luckman was carried from the range to the medal ceremony in a Sedan chair by his opponents.
In other events, young gun Mitchel Iles finished fifth in the men’s trap final, while Tom Grice was eliminated in qualifying. Three position rifle shooter Dane Sampson finished seventh whilst Will Godward was eliminated in qualifying.
SQUASH
Australia has extended its reign as the Commonwealth champions of the squash mixed doubles, with Yamba cousins Donna Urqhuart and Cameron Pilley claiming the 2018 title. The dynamic duo have followed in the footsteps of Australian teammates Rachael Grinham and David Palmer from Glasgow 2014, following their victory over India in two straight sets (11-8, 11-10).
Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist David Palmer and squash partner Zac Alexander are through to the gold medal match, after defeating Scotland’s Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban. It took the pair just 30 minutes in two sets (11-8, 11-5) to get through the match.
In the women’s doubles, Rachael Grinham and Donna Urqhuart were defeated by New Zealand squash heavyweights Joelle King and Amanda Landers-Murphy 11-9, 11-5 in the semifinal and will now compete against England’s Laura Massaro and Sarah-Jane Perry to win bronze.
TABLE TENNIS
Two-time Paralympian Melissa Tapper has added another accolade to her growing list of achievements, becoming the first Australian to achieve Commonwealth Games glory in table tennis.
Tapper had both her able-bodied and Para-table tennis teammates rally around her as she took down Faith Obazuaya from Nigeria 3-1 (7-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-3) to win gold. Fighting back tears of joy after her victory, Tapper said that her win today wasn’t about creating history but about achieving for herself and her family.
“It’s amazing to win today, it’s just a relief, but that thrill you get out there, especially with a home crowd. Geeze, that will make me want to keep playing for another 50 years” the dual Paralympian and 2016 Olympian said.
Fellow Australian Andrea McDonnell won bronze in the same event, in three straight sets over class six English athlete Felicity Pickard (11-2, 11-6, 11-3). The bronze is McDonnell’s first medal from a major international competition.
WRESTLING
Australia’s representative in the 86kg division, Jayden Lawrence, went into today’s session as Australia’s best medal hope but received a tough draw.
His first match was against one of the favourites for gold – Muhammed Inam of Pakistan. He lost the fight which left him needing Inam to keep winning in order to qualify for a repechage, which Inam did.
Lawrence was outplayed by India in his repechage fight however and was eliminated from the tournament.
In the women’s 50kg class Rupinder Kaur lost all three of her bouts.
