World champion Jake Wightman grasps Commonwealth Games bronze in savage 1,500m
Australia crush England's hopes of second successive netball gold
Nick Miller wins gold for England in the hammer
Immediately after matching his 1,500 metres bronze from the last Commonwealth Games, recently-crowned world champion Jake Wightman made a plea: “I hope I don’t get shot down too much for not having won it.”
If anyone has any sense, they will not do so. This was, without parallel, the toughest event of the entire athletics programme at these Commonwealth Games, and it was run at breakneck speed.
As well as Wightman, the field contained the second, third and fourth from last year’s Olympics. That none of them won it — with Australia’s Ollie Hoare claiming a shock gold medal — told a story in itself.
It is incredibly difficult to go from the high of a World Championships final to another major event so quickly, even without factoring in the huge time difference and associated jet lag of travelling from America’s west coast to Birmingham.
That Hoare failed even to make the world final in Oregon was almost certainly the decisive factor at the end of a bruising, rapidly-run race. Unlike when he announced his son as the world champion, this time Wightman’s father and coach - and Alexander Stadium commentator - Geoff could only call him home in bronze-medal position for Scotland.
“That was as good as I could have done,” said Wightman. “I didn’t want to be a pedestrian and be running for minor medals. I wanted to make a statement but I didn’t feel anywhere near as good as I did a couple of weeks ago.
“People don’t realise how high that World Championships was. Two weeks is nothing to have to reset. It’s mentally so tough to come back from that.
“I’ve done what I wanted to do ever since I was a kid and won a global title, and anything else from there is a bonus.
“That’s a great season. It’s still something, isn’t it? So I’m relatively content with that. I’m not buzzing but I’m relieved.”
Having sat content in the pack for much of the race, Wightman hit the front only marginally earlier than he had done when winning his world title, opting to inject a burst of pace with around 250m remaining. In Eugene, his strength meant he was able to hold off all challengers, but those exertions caught up with him in Birmingham.
First, Kenya’s former world champion Timothy Cheruiyot passed him. Then, finishing swiftly on the outside, Hoare followed suit. As the Kenyan tied up approaching the line, Hoare seized his chance to snatch one of the least likely Commonwealth titles in three minutes 30.12 seconds.
A tiring, stumbling Cheruiyot was only marginally behind in 3-30.21, with Wightman holding on for bronze in 3-30.53.
It was quick. Eight of the 12 finalists set personal bests, and the first six men home all went inside the Commonwealth Games record that had stood since 1974.
Of his decision to kick for home so early, Wightman said: “It was a bit instinctive. I wanted to get to the bend in the lead again.
“I knew I wasn’t as fresh. It’s a different track and stadium to race in. I was hanging on in the home straight, as opposed to feeling strong.
“I felt pretty vulnerable, but I wouldn’t have changed it. If I’d won I would be here feeling pretty good about the decision.
“I knew when I went I was going to have a tough home straight but hoped everyone else would be feeling the same.
“Initially, I was pretty disappointed but if I told myself I would come back two weeks after winning the World Champs and in a similar field pick up a bronze I’d be pretty happy.”
Olympic finalist Hoare said he was fueled by the disappointment of failing to make the world final a fortnight ago.
“Holy s---. The Commonwealth Games 1,500m is so tough,” he said. “On the start line, you hear the accolades of every athlete. To be there in an event so deep, and where not many Australians have been able to achieve medals, was an absolute privilege.
“I wanted it, especially after World Champs, which was such a disappointment. I thought about that [semi-final in Eugene] race, and I thought: ‘Not today. I’m going for it today’. And I was able to come through at the end.”
'Frustrated' Hodgkinson takes silver
For all that Keely Hodgkinson has settled neatly into her status as the new queen of British athletics, she was on the wrong side of an 800m upset when forced to relinquish gold in the closing stages of a truly bizarre run from Kenya’s Mary Moraa.
Having set off at suicidal pace through 200m, Moraa then appeared to drop out of contention entirely, slowing to a crawl and falling more than 10m off the lead in last place soon after the bell.
Yet as Hodgkinson began to take control down the back straight, Moraa - who later admitted she had “lost hope because everyone went past me” - found an explosive second wind, surging past the entire field before regaining the lead with around 50m remaining. Her victory came in 1-57.07, with Hodgkinson second in 1-57.40 and 1,500m specialist Laura Muir finishing fast for bronze in 1-57.87.
The top two reversed their finishing order from last month’s World Championships, where Hodgkinson claimed silver and Moraa bronze.
“Frustrated is definitely the right word,” said Hodgkinson. “I am not sure what happened, it went so quick, maybe I could have been more patient with myself. But I gave it my all.”
Hughes gets 200m silver
Four years after a furious Zharnel Hughes was disqualified having completed a lap of honour celebrating a Commonwealth 200m title that was never to be, the Anguilla-born Englishman won silver in Birmingham.
Hughes crossed the line first in 2018, only for the judges to rule that his arm had struck Trinidad & Tobago’s Jereem Richards in the closing stages, upgrading Richards to gold. The Trinidadian successfully defended his title in 19.80sec on Saturday night, with Hughes claiming silver in 20.12sec.
England’s reigning Commonwealth hammer throw champion Nick Miller retained his title with a 76.43m effort, before urging Britain's governing body to show more support for his discipline.
“I’m sure I’m going to get told off for this, but we don’t get opportunities,” he said. “There are a lot of guys in this country who would probably beat the hell out of me if they competed. But we lose them to things like rugby because we don’t get any popularity.”
England’s Adam Hague and Harry Coppell won pole vault silver and bronze.
Laugher bounces back from a zero score to join Goodfellow-led home clean sweep
By Jamie Gardner
Jack Laugher bounced back from a zero score in qualifying to claim bronze in an English one-two-three in the men’s 3 metre springboard final – then admitted such a devastating setback could have “ruined him” in the past.
Laugher, an Olympic silver medallist in this event in Rio six years ago, has been open about his struggles with anxiety over his performances and scored zero for his first dive in the preliminary round on Saturday morning after the nerves set in on the board.
Dan Goodfellow took gold for England with Jordan Houlden securing silver on Saturday night, and Laugher – who recovered to reach the final as the 11th-ranked of 12 qualifiers – was delighted to join them on the podium after a rocky start to the day.
“I feel like maybe a year and a half ago before the Olympics that [zero] would have completely ruined me and sent me in a bit of a spiral,” he said.
“I thought that maybe today would be kind of a big turnaround, a bit of a comeback story, and it kind of is in a way. Even though there were some massive negatives, the overall experience has been extremely positive. When you have laid those seeds of doubt in your head, it can be quite hard. But I’ve been working with a psychologist and I’ve now got things in place that I can do.”
Laugher, who went to sleep after the morning session to help him “reset”, led at halfway but his fifth dive, a forward 4½ somersaults tuck, earned just 53.20 and meant he slipped off the top.
Goodfellow nailed his fourth dive – the one with the highest degree of difficulty in his routine – to score 91.65 in a total of 484.45. Goodfellow, who was born in Cambridge but is based at the same City of Leeds club as Laugher, said: “I’ve had a rough year and probably a few people have doubted me, so to come here and do this. I’m just really happy.
“To come here and win gold, I wouldn’t trade it.”
Meanwhile, Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix secured her second medal of the Games in the women’s 10m synchro platform competition. The 17-year-old followed up Thursday’s individual gold with a silver alongside Eden Cheng in the synchronised event.
Spendolini-Sirieix is the daughter of First Dates star Fred Sirieix, who says he is taking the teenager to New York next month in what can now be a celebration for her 18th birthday and her Commonwealth Games success.
Australia march into hockey final at England's expense
By Rod Gilmour
This was less Park Lane, more Old Kent Road, as Australia’s monopoly on Commonwealth men’s gold turned into a physical, brutal battle against England. The Kookaburras came from two goals down to maintain their 24-year unbeaten record at the Games and set up a seventh successive final after a thrilling, if controversial, 3-2 win.
Australia last lost a Commonwealth match when hockey was first played at the 1998 Games and they won their 38th straight match here as goals from Blake Govers, Jacob Anderson and Daniel Beale scuppered England’s hopes of a first gold medal match.
It was typical Australia, who somehow managed to come through this slugfest after England had led through a fine strike from Phil Roper and penalty stroke from Zach Wallace. Australia will play India for gold, while England take on South Africa for bronze.
“You play the Aussies and they come out hard and look to throw punches, look to knock you down and kill the game,” said Wallace. “That was our game plan, to throw our punches back and we started hard and fast and got them running the other way. It was like a boxing match, I suppose.”
England began on the front foot. It was bulldog stuff. They mustered three early penalty corners in a row and, on their third, goalkeeper Andrew Charter twice blocked before David Goodfield skewed wide.
Australia had their first foray in the England circle midway through the first quarter when Govers latched on to a direct pass, flicked across goal before Stuart Rushmere forced a corner. Ollie Payne, England’s goalkeeper, easily booted away. The Devon stopper then twice kept out Australia threats.
From a counter, Wallace, England’s creative captain, picked out the on-running Roper, whose forehand fizzed past Charter for his fifth tournament goal.
England were rampant and, after a yellow card to Jake Whetton, it led to a corner and then a penalty stroke for an illegal block on the line. Wallace stepped up and wrong-footed Charter.
Australia had last lost to their rivals eight years ago, a match where England held a two-goal lead. It was going to take discipline, possession and keeping corners at bay from hereon in. Instead they barged and bustled in an attempt to match Australia’s own physicalities. A yellow to Roper allowed Australia to dictate the pace before a pumped-up Govers flicked past Payne three minutes before half-time.
A 10-minute yellow for England, awarded to Will Calnan, and a green to Tom Sorsby took them briefly down to nine. They were lucky not to receive more. With player parity restored, an Australian turnover gifted by Liam Ansell led to a three-pass move into the circle which was finished expertly on the reverse by Anderson as the third quarter ended.
Every part of England’s game management needed to be precise from here but the Kookaburras took the lead when Beale tapped in from close range. The goal came laced with controversy, the free-hit ball clearly not being stopped by Australia after the whistle was blown. The video referee saw it differently.
To their credit, England kept up their momentum. They earned a brace of penalty corners with eight minutes left, Flynn Ogilvie swatting away Nick Bandurak’s flick on the line.
With 30 seconds left, the umpire switched from a free out to a last-ditch corner. This was England’s 12th penalty corner and once again Charter and his line defence kept out the flick.
“You have to have the complete performance to get over the line,” added Wallace. “As a young side, maybe inexperience told and we gave away a few cards. We held it out very well and that shows where we are, with the togetherness, fight and the spirit and maybe it told over the 60 minutes. I am absolutely gutted.”
Meanwhile, England women will aim to win their first Commonwealth title today when they play Australia.
Mixed fortunes for England: As it happened. . .
10:01 PM
One more day left!
What a day it has been! England medal tally after the penultimate day is 145 (50 gold, 50 silver and 45 bronxe). England's medal rush in the diving has to be the highlight of the day as the team brings five medals home! The English boys dominated the podium in the 3m springboard finals as Dan Goodfellow won his first individual gold! It was a sad afternoon for England netball who were knocked out by the world class Aussies but they go again tomorrow in hunt for a bronze medal against New Zealand. Gold just slipped away from Keely Hodgkinson again in the 800m but a silver will do for now! She is joined on the podium by Laura Muir who was thrilled with her bronze. The day finished with heartbreak for England's men's hockey team who will not join the women in the finals tomorrow after the Aussies just edged the victory. Come back tomorrow for a final action packed day at the Games!
09:57 PM
England are out of the hockey!
Heartache for England, they did so well to go 2-0 up in the first half but Australia are winners and came back to win 3-2. England will have to wait to reach their first final.
09:54 PM
Silver and Bronze England!
Harry Coppell has one last shot at clearing 5.65m in the men's pole vault, and misses. He'll take bronze, gold goes to Kurtis Marschall who clears 5.65 for the first time! Silver goes to England's Adam Hague, what a performance from him!
09:49 PM
Delicious Orie into the gold medal match!
What a performance he will fight for the gold medal tomorrow!
09:46 PM
Another gold for Thompson-Herah!
Wow! An athlete who is not at her best just ran a Games record!!! She is just world class! That is another to add to her growing collection.
09:44 PM
Women's 200m finals
No English competitors in this race but look out for Scotland's Beth Dobbin. Elaine Thompson-Herah expected to be the favourite here, despite still not being at her best.
09:43 PM
Penalty corner for England!
This could be a good chance here! Nope, England take the corner poorly but end up winning another penalty corner.
09:42 PM
Australia take the lead...controversially!
It appeared Australia failed to attempt stop the ball after a free hit before they scored. Despite England appealing the ref decided the goal stands. It seemed pretty obvious on the replay, an interesting decision that may have cost England there.
09:33 PM
Alastair Chalmers' reaction to making history!
It was emotional, I had covid last week so it has been a hard comeback. I just had to focus in on my race and I actually messed up my stride pattern on top bend so I was coming down the home straight on my non-dominant leg.
I said to myself, 'if you stay in this you've got this', and the crowd were amazing, I could here them and it just drove me to the line. It hasn't event processed yet, I am a bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games, I can't believe it!
I am so proud to come from Guernsey, and to put them on the map now is my dream.
09:28 PM
Australia find the equaliser!
Australia have been all over England in this third quarter and Jacob Anderson whips his stick round and it's too fast for England keeper Ollie Payne, flying into the bottom-right corner.
09:21 PM
Silver for Zharnel Hughes!
What a race Jereem Richard runs a Games record of 19.8 seconds to win gold!!! A first senior medal for Hughes who ran excellently, he will be pleased with that! That was a season's best for him too.
Ghana's Joseph Amoah finishes third.
09:12 PM
Men's 200m final coming up!
The final kicks off in just eight minutes and features England's Zharnel Hughes. He has never won a medal at senior level in this event so it will be exciting to see what a home crowd can do for him!
09:05 PM
England ahead at half-time!
09:00 PM
Orie in the semi-finals tonight!
England's Delicious Orie beats Trinidad’s Nigel Paul in the quarter-finals to assure himself of a medal. He takes on Aussie Leuila Mau'u in the semi-final tonight at 21:15! Birmingham is his home city making tonight extra special!
08:58 PM
Australia fight back!
With two minutes left of the second quarter, the Aussies have found a goal to push the scoreline to 2-1! The goal came from Blake Govers penalty corner.
08:52 PM
Men's 400m hurdles
That was chaos! Canada's Malik Metivier was disqualified before the race began for a false start! Kyron McMaster defends his gold and a first athletics medal for Guernsey from Alastair Chalmers! He is speechless!!
08:47 PM
Another goal for England!!!
England's Zach Wallace steps up and shoots the penalty into the bottom right.
The hosts lead six-time champions Australia 2-0 in the semi-final. Wow! Something special might be about to happen here.
08:38 PM
England take the lead in the hockey!
England's Phil Roper swings his stick and it's straight through the goalkeeper's legs into the bottom-left corner. It's still early doors but England are off to a smashing start!
08:34 PM
Moraa's tactics were completely unintentional!
My plan was to go through quite fast in 57 or 58 seconds, but after 300m I realised I was going too fast as I was running at 56-second pace. I lost hope because everyone went past me. I was last. But when I got to 200m remaining I started to close the gap. And with 120m to go I was counting 1-2-3-4 and I started to think I could win a medal.
08:30 PM
Men's 5000m final
Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo does the double!
He backs up his 10,000m gold medal with a another gold medal in the 5,000m, Kenya's Nicholas Kipkorir Kimeli and Jacob Krop take silver and bronze.
England's Marc Scott finished fourth, just missing out on a medal.
08:27 PM
England's hockey semi-final is under way!
England men's hockey team face Australia in the semi-final in bid to win a spot in the final and join the women's side. Australia are strong contenders in tonight's match having won all six of the Commonwealth titles so far!
England have never made it to a final before but that can all change tonight if they put in a good performance in front of a home crowd!
08:23 PM
Keely Hodgkinson is fuming!
Frustrated is definitely the right word. I am not quite sure what happened, it went so quick. The first lap I went a bit hard, maybe I could have been a bit more patient, but I came here for gold and gave it my all.
Unfortunately I came away with a silver...again. But I have got one more chance. I will go back to the drawing board and try again. There are positives but I want gold so I am fuming. I wanted to stand on top of that podium in front of my home crowd.
08:17 PM
Interesting tactics from Mary Moraa
Ben Bloom reports live from Birmingham
That was one of the strangest runs I've ever seen from Mary Moraa. Having set off at suicidal pace through 200m, she then appeared to drop out of contention entirely, slowing to a crawl and dropping more than 10m off the lead in last place soon after the bell.
Yet as Keely Hodgkinson began to take control down the back straight, Moraa found an explosive second wind, surging past the entire field before regaining the lead with around 50m remaining. A truly bonkers way of running the 800m, but somehow it worked.
08:14 PM
Another medal rush for England in the diving!!!
Eden Cheng and Andrea Spendolini-Siriex finish silver and Robyn Birch and Emily Martin take bronze!!! What a comeback. Both teams were off to a shaky start but soon settled to both finish in a medal position! Incredible from the young duos. That is five medals for England in the diving this evening!
08:11 PM
Men's pole vault final is under way!
England's Harry Coppell finished seventh on his senior major championship debut at the Tokyo Olympics last year and will be hoping to improve on that. However it has been a tough few months for the 26-year-old.
Coppell had some emergency dental surgery in Japan after smashing one tooth and dislodging another when the bar fell on his face during training.
Despite this he has cleared 5.75m this year which is more than any of his other opponents!
08:05 PM
Laura Muir bronze medal reaction:
My coach told me to go out hard and I thought I did but I was still miles off it. Oh my goodness, these girls are fast. I was in fourth with 100 metres to go and I was just like 'no way'.
Kids, that's why if you coach says run all the way to the line, you run all the way to the line. This time last year I got an Olympic silver and now I have a Commonwealth medal!
08:03 PM
England struggling in women's 10m synchro
We need something special if there is to be another home medal in the diving pool after a shaky third dive by both English pairs.
Robyn Birch and Emily Martin can only score 57.60, while Andrea Spendolini-Siriex and Eden Cheng score 56.70.
It means they sit fifth and sixth on the leaderboard respectively so far.
07:58 PM
Silver for Hodgkinson
07:53 PM
Keely Hodgkinson
Such a shame for Keely, it looked like she had it there. Another silver to add to the collection for the 20-year-old. She is still so young and that gold will definitely come in time.
07:49 PM
Keely settles for silver again
AHHH! Keely finished second after she is ovetaken in the last few metres by Mary Moraa! Moraa's dance moves are cracking as she celebrates the gold.
Laura Muir finishes third! Her main event is the 1500m but what a bonus to come away with bronze.
07:47 PM
Women's 800m final
Surely Keely has this !!
07:46 PM
Women's 800m final
Muir catches up and sits just behind Keely!
07:46 PM
Women's 800m final
Keely comes round the bend strong! She sits in second after the second corner.
07:43 PM
Here we go...
Based on the stats Keely should have this one in the bag! She runs in lane seven with Laura in lane four and Alex Bell is in lane three.
07:40 PM
Keely Hodgkinson warming up!
Not long now until Hodgkinson and Muir take on the 800m finals. Standby! Will she retain her World's and Olympic silver medals or will she take it to the next level?
07:38 PM
Jack Laugher proud of his comeback and thanks Leeds United
After this morning I just wanted to come out and show my skills. I think I did that but obviously that one dive really cost me but in comparison to this morning I had a great performance and I really turned it around.
If you are gonna lose out on a gold medal who better to lose out too than two of your really good friends!
I would just like to thank my friends and family, the national lottery and Leeds united. I took a bit of inspiration from them today coming back from a bad start to finally get on top! It has been a great day and I am really really proud of what we have achieved.
07:31 PM
Houlden on winning two medals at his first Games:
I am lost for words! Two Commonwealth Games medals is a real achievement for me. I feel like i've stepped up to the pressure and really given my all.
Being with these two (Laugher and Goodfellow) makes me dream big and hopefully I can get to the Olympic Games next!
07:25 PM
Daniel Goodfellow on his first solo gold:
It is a great feeling, I have had a bit of a rough year so to get a result here means everything.
When asked how it feels to be winning medals on his own he said:
It feels great, I am really enjoying my diving at the minute and it feels good to be doing it on my own and I am really enjoying training and competing by myself . With today being one, two and three for the Yorkshire lads we couldn't ask for anything better!
07:16 PM
England win gold, silver and bronze!
Wow! England dominate the podium but not in the order we expected! Laugher was ahead until his fourth round dive cost him the gold! Despite missing out on a third gold, Laugher picks up a bronze which is his third of the Games! Daniel Goodfellow wanted to prove himself away from synchro and it is safe to say he has done that tonight as he walks away with gold! He clears the top of the leaderboard by 19 points!
Jordan Houlden performed excellently and he walks away with silver, his second medal of the games!
07:11 PM
Gold for Goodfellow?
Daniel Goodfellow edges Houlden for the lead!
07:10 PM
Houlden blows his last dive
That was such a shame! An incredibly difficult dive and he is still in pike as he lands. It doesn't look like he'll make the gold medal now but the difficulty saved him on that one.
In other news an excellent last dive from Scotland's James Heatly but he might finish fourth, again!
07:02 PM
Can Laugher make the bronze?
A good last dive for Laugher with a whopping 3.9 level of difficulty but he is still marginally in pike as he lands. Will it be enough for a medal?
06:59 PM
One round left
Laugher is down into fourth place! Houlden and Goodfellow dominate the first and second spot while Laugher is lagging behind by twenty points.
06:58 PM
Anything can happen
Wow! Houlden is now in the lead by 1/2 a point! Is the youngster heading for his first gold?
06:56 PM
Youngster Jordan wows the judges!
As Laugher leaves the door wide open, Jordan Houlden performs a backwards 4 1/2 somersault in tuck and finds himself 20 points ahead of Jack with one round left!
06:51 PM
Has Laugher just lost the gold?
Laugher performs a 4 1/2 somersaults in tuck and completely over rotates the landing. He scores 4.5s but that may have cost him the medal!
06:49 PM
England back on the top of the podium
The English trio currently occupy all three medals on the podium with two rounds left! Just one point stands in between Laugher and Goodfellow with Houlden ten behind!
06:46 PM
Dive of the final so far!
Daniel Goodfellow is just shy of a point behind Laugher now after an excellent dive!
06:42 PM
Zoology or diving?
Scotland's Ross Beattie is a zoology student at Edinburgh university and put his studies on hold to qualify for the Games.
06:39 PM
Laugher in the lead
Another good dive from Laugher but he just loses his form at the end, nevertheless he scores 84 so he'll take that hapilly!
06:38 PM
Laugher back up top!
Shixin Li moved down to second place behind Laugher! Houlden and Goodfellow are in third and fourth with a fraction of a point between them!
06:34 PM
Great dive from Jordan Houlden
What a dive from Houlden there! The height he got on that was incredible winnng him eights across the board!
06:29 PM
Top notch dive from Laugher!
Wow! That is more like it, Laugher sends a stark warning to his fellow competitors that he is still one of the world's best!
06:27 PM
Australia on top
Australia's Li has pushed Laugher off of the gold medal position by 3.95 points. There is a difference of 5.55 points between Laugher and Goodfellow who are in second and third. Laugher needs to up his game if he is to get the gold this evening although even on a bad day he is better than most!
06:18 PM
Laugher still not looking perfect
Jack seems to be struggling with the execution of his dives. He came away with three medals from the World Championships last night but is it too much to ask him to do that here?
06:15 PM
England boys go head-to-head
Rising star Jordan Houlden receives 73.1 points in his first dive. He won bronze in the 1m earlier this week and is in good form. The three English boys are all taking on the exact same list of dives tonight so it will be a close one! Dan Goodfellow does well finding himself in third place after round one. England currently dominate the podium after one lot of dives!
06:08 PM
Laugher back in action!
Jack nails the dive he failed in the prelim this morning! He usually scores a nine on this dive but takes a seven.
06:04 PM
Is the pressure too much for Laugher?
Jack Laugher scored 0 in one dive at the preliminary round this morning as he decided to change his dive on the platform! It seemed the seven time Commonwealth champion struggled with nerves this morning but can he control those this evening and pick up another gold?
05:58 PM
Aidan Walsh through to second consecutive final!
Northern Ireland's Aidan Walsh is through to the men's middleweight final after beating Welshman Garan Croft by four to one! He faces Muxanga from Mozambique in the finals! He won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games but can he defend that here?
05:45 PM
Keely Hodgkinson on old friend Ella Toone!
Who knew young stars Hodgkinson and Toone grew up together! In a recent interview Keely reflected on their friendship and what the Lionesses achievements mean't for women's sport:
I thought it was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed watching it. I think about what that’s going to do for women’s football, women’s sport. Seeing all those little girls watching away, it’s really nice to see that because when we were younger, we wouldn’t have had that. Ella did so well to score as well. I know she’s on cloud nine so big congrats to her.
We went to school together, she was two years older than me but somehow we ended up getting on really well. I was always known as a ‘Mini Ella’ growing up at school so we’ve kept in touch since then. Obviously she was in Tokyo last year with the football so we’re just two young girls living their dreams. “
She used to play on our boys football team and was smoking them so there was absolutely no way she wasn’t going to make it. We’re from the same school, we were probably raised about four miles away from each other. So it’s about putting our home town on the map.
You can read more about Keely's journey and their friendship here and stay tuned as she races for gold in the 800m tonight!
05:32 PM
Not long till we dive into more action!
It is just over 30 minutes until we watch Jack Laugher attempt his third gold in three days! Although the decorated diver finished 11th in qualifying this morning behind England teammate Daniel Goodfellow who finished third, it could all change tonight! Goodfellow won gold in the 2018 Games in the 10m synchro category so will be keen to get his hands on an individual medal. Jordan Houlden is also competing!
05:25 PM
Men's single finals in the lawn bowls
You can watch Scotland's Ian McLean in action now in the bronze medal match against Malaysia, he is currently winning 12-5 after end ten. Or you can watch Northern Ireland's Garry Kelly in the gold medal match against Australia, he is unfortunately losing 18-1 after 12 ends so far.
05:14 PM
Pickard misses out on bronze
Over in the para table tennis number four in the world, Obazuaye beats Felicity Pickard three games to one. The Nigerian played exceptionally well and this is not her first Games medal. It is a shame for Pickard but she fought hard and won the first game 11-6 but unfortunately couldn't keep it up against such a top class oppostion.
05:03 PM
Over for England
Canada win the third set 15-7 after a match ball. The Bello boys are not guaranteed a medal now but they will play for bronze tomorrow against Rowanda. The duo did well but Canada were just another level today.
04:53 PM
Bello boys in the beach volleyball!
The England twins manage to draw a point to make it 4-4, but it is not long before Canada strike back pushing the score 6-5 in their favour in this third set.
04:49 PM
Will England take bronze in the para table tennis?
Felicity Pickard features now in the women's singles para table tennis bronze medal match against Nigerian, Faith Obazuaye. She has won two and lost two in her campaign so far to get here as has Obazuaye so this could be a close one!
04:44 PM
A bit of a lull in action!
After an action packed morning now would be the perfect time to grab a cuppa or take a walk as we prepare for a medal rush this evening... hopefully!
04:39 PM
Beach volleyball semi-finals heating up
England are currently leading with one set, but Canada are leading the second 13-8 and are on the verge of equalising if they carry this on!
04:34 PM
England netball hungry for a medal
England captain Natalie Metcalf:
We gave ourselves a little bit too much to do too soon in the game and credit where it is due the Diamonds came out all guns blazing today but to be able to play in front of this crowd is an absolute privilege. I'm so proud to be able to play in front of these guys.
There's still one more game to play for. We are going to regroup and try and play really strong tomorrow.
We didn't look after turnover ball enough. credit to our defenders, they won us some balls and we didn't look after that properly enough in attack. We will go back and look at the tape and see where we can correct some of that tomorrow.
The margins of our game are so small so it's important that we sit on this, we reflect on this, pull ourselves up, pull our shoulders up and we have another opportunity tomorrow to play in front of this crowd.
They've been phenomenal throughout this, the country's been amazing in being right behind us. There is still one game to play for and we're going to do everything possible to get that bronze medal.
04:32 PM
England to play New Zealand for bronze...
If you want to see the roses back in action, tune in tomorrow at 20:30 as they battle it out with New Zealand for the bronze medal.
04:25 PM
Australia's netball team end the pain of 2018...
Australian captain Liz Watson on the Aussies victory:
I'm really really proud. We were disappointed with our match against Jamaica and England is one of the best teams in the world.
We wanted to get that one so badly. We really tried to complement the strengths of our team.
04:19 PM
An exciting evening ahead!
Good afternoon everyone! Eloise here, lets take a look at what we have coming up this evening...
It is another exciting day in the diving pool as we watch Jack Laugher attempt to bag his third gold medal in three days! He won gold comfortably in both the men's 1m springboard on Thursday and the men's synchronised 3m springboard yesterday with partner Anthony Harding!
If you want to see Jack in action later tune in at 18:00!
We also have the women's synchronised 10m platform finals at 19:34 where you can see two England pairs in action, Emily Martin and Robin Birch compete alongside Eden Cheng and gold medallist Andrea Spendolini Siriex!
In the athletics we have young star Keely Hodgkinson competing in her first Commonwealth Games in the 800m as she attempts to bag another medal after winning silver at the World Championships last month and the Tokyo Olympics! This event takes place at 19:45 and she runs alongside Laura Muir so you won't want to miss it!
Later on we have the 200m hurdles finals and another England vs Australia semi-final in the men's hockey kicking off at 20:15!
04:00 PM
Reaction from that defeat
And all the rest of the action from Birmingham will come from Eloise Martin who'll be your guide for the rest of the day.
03:58 PM
Australia are into the netball final
They will face Jamaica in the battle for the gold thanks to a dominant 60-51 win over England.
They were clinical in that match and it promises to be a great final against the Jamaicans who beat them in the group stages.
As for the defending champions, England were behind early on and just weren't able to get close to the Diamonds.
03:54 PM
Still Australia's to lose
Australia have never not been in a final in any netball tournament. That's what England are up against here and the hosts are still trailling the world No 1 side. It's 54-48 to the Aussies with just over four minutes left.
03:47 PM
Make that six
England are doing what they need to - it's 48-42 to Australia with 10 minutes left.
03:45 PM
The gap is down to eight
But there's still a lot for England to do.
03:39 PM
At the end of the third quarter
It's 45-36 to Australia. Still a huge gap but not as big as it was...
03:35 PM
Australia well on top now
With four minutes left in the third quarter they hold an 11-point lead. It's 43-32 and the defending champions are up against it now...
03:25 PM
The second half is under way
In the netball and England have done what they needed to do: start well.
They are within four (having been nine back) of Australia now.
It's 31-27 to the Aussies.
03:12 PM
We're at the halfway point in the netball
And Australia lead England 29-23.
It's turning into an intriguing match - exactly as we thought. The gap was nine goals at one stage but it's down to six at the break.
From our very own Ben Bloom...
If England are going to make the netball final, they will have to do things the hard way by making up a six-goal deficit in the second half. They are seriously struggling to move the ball forward in centre court. How Jess Thirlby would love to be able to bring on former captain Serena Guthrie. Alas, she has now retired from netball after announcing her pregnancy earlier this year. She is a huge loss for England, which may cost them here.
02:58 PM
Jake Wightman speaks to BBC Scotland...
...after he won bronze in the 1,500m.
On his emotions on not winning Commonwealth and World golds...
"Initially I was pretty disappointed because I wanted to win. But in hindsight if I told myself at this point I'd have a world gold and Commonwealth bronze two weeks later, I'd take that."
On his run and tiredness after the World Championships...
"Mentally it was hard to get back up for this. I gave it a go to win it, but I didn't have it. Just relieved to get something for Scotland because one of us deserved to be on the podium and I'm lucky to be the one to be on it."
On his happiness at what he's achieved this season...
"It wasn't even the pressure it was just the mental fatigue of having had such a high, to come back up and get on it soon again after. I could have easily bombed that and not done even anything. For me I've done something so good this season, everything else is a bonus. It's been a good season. I think the finish disappointment will fade away because I'm glad I managed to come back, step up and get a medal."
02:54 PM
After the first quarter in the netball
It's 15-12 to Australia. As we expected it's close.
02:53 PM
Bowls medal updates!
England win the bronze in the men's fours lawn bowls - they beat Wales 17-12.
BUT Northern Ireland win the GOLD after a brilliant win over India. Martin McHugh, his country's flagbearer and gold medal winner in the same event waaaay back in 1998 at Kuala Lumpur, dished up the winning bowl.
02:43 PM
Ben Bloom on that delay in the netball
There's just been an utterly bizarre lengthy delay in the first quarter of England's netball semi-final against Australia, when England’s goal post needed replacing after Layla Guscoth, attempting a dramatic flying intercept, smashed into the upright at such force that she ended up straddling it as it lay at an awkward angle. As four volunteers then struggled to wrestle the new post into place, Geva Mentor trundled over and gave it an almighty yank to pull it upright, sending the crowd into enormous cheers. All very odd and amusing.
02:38 PM
The second netball semi-final is under way
As England face Australia for the right to battle it out with Jamaica for the gold.
There's already action as England's Layla Guscoth collides with the post and the officials decide they need to change it...
It's 3-3 at the time.
02:25 PM
Danni Wyatt speaks...
On her emotions at not making the final...
"Absolutely gutted. Another close game against India. It's always a close game against them."
On how England will approach the bronze-medal match...
"We've got to dust ourselves down as we've got another big game tomorrow."
On the crowds...
"They've been brilliant, hope we can get another good crowd here tomorrow and we can get the bronze medal."
On how England have played at the Games...
"Everyone's contributed throughout the tournament and that's a sign of a good team."
02:12 PM
India beat England
And will play in the final against the winner of Australia-New Zealand.
In the last over Katherine Brunt goes without scoring meaning the hosts needed 13 from three and new batter Ecclestone, understandably, cannot clear the ropes often enough, though she does hit a maximum the last ball of the match...
India win by four runs. Having posted a challenging target India always, you sense had their noses in front and will take some beating in the gold-medal match.
02:06 PM
14 from six
Is what England need...
13 for the super over...who doesn't love one of those...
02:04 PM
Sciver had hit 10 off two
But is then run out. She was hitting out - just what England needed - but if the hosts are to make the final they will have to do it without her at the crease.
151 for five with the target 165 - or 14 off seven...
02:00 PM
Two overs left
England need 27 to make the final over India.
01:56 PM
Amy Jones run out
For 31...That's made England's job that much harder.
30 needed off 16. Bouchier is the new batter.
01:53 PM
Good over for India
Just three from it.
England need 30 off 18 balls.
01:50 PM
With four overs to go...
England need 33 runs (off 24 balls) to make it to the T20 final at the expense of India.
Nat Sciver and Amy Jones have brought up the 50 partnership and are looking good out there.
Advantage England, you have to suggest...India need wickets.
01:43 PM
Over to Edgbaston
And England need 52 from 36 balls. The hosts are 113 for three with Nat Sciver (27 off 30) and Amy Jones (13 from 10) at the crease.
England have some big hitters to come but India will still fancy their chances if they take some wickets.
All set for a tight finish.
01:37 PM
GOLD FOR ENGLAND!!
Thanks to Nick Miller in the men's hammer.
He defended his title won on the Gold Cast with a 76.43m. Canada's Ethan Katzberg’s PB of 76.36m earned him the silver, as Cypriot Alexandros Poursanidis final throw of 73.97m pushed England's Jospeh Ellis out of the medals.
01:25 PM
From Ben Bloom at the Alexander Stadium
Few athletes competing in Alexander Stadium have been through as much turmoil as Scottish hammer thrower Mark Dry, who managed to qualify for these Commonwealth Games after serving one of the most ridiculous doping bans ever dished out. I caught up with him at the start of the year as he attempted to make ends meet clearing out empty houses of people who had died. You can read his fascinating story here. He won Commonwealth bronze in 2014 and 2018 but was always unlikely to trouble the podium here after so much time spent away from the sport. He is back in 11th place.
01:21 PM
It was a quick race
Hoare won in a Games record time of 3:30.12, Cheruiyot was second with a season's best of 3:30.21, Withman ran 3:30.53 and Wales Jake Heyward was fifth with a PB of 3:31.08, a time he'd have assumed would have netted him at least a medal...
01:17 PM
Australia's Hoare wins 1,500m gold - Wightman claims bronze
Kipsang takes on the pace early on and went through 400m in 54 secs - that's quick. Giles is tucked in behind and Wightman moves in not far behind.
Cheruiyot then takes over the reins - it's a quick pace which will play into Wightman's hands - in theory, at least. Josh Kerr looks tired at the back as the bell sounds.
With 300m Wightman is where he likes to be poised and he goes early with 200m to go. But Cheruiyot overtakes in the home straight as the Scot goes backwards. BUT it's Olly Hoare who gets the gold as Cheruiyot stumbles slightly in the last 10m. Wightman wins the bronze.
It was a fast race - Hoare win in a Games record of 3:30.12.
01:11 PM
They're off
Just over three and half minutes to go...
01:09 PM
The runners are out there
Scotland's Josh Kerr, Olympic bronze medallist is certainly part of the conversation.
In fact there are plenty of possible winners/podium placers. Elliot Giles goes for England.
New Zealand's Sam Tanner looks like the coolest dude out there.
01:04 PM
It's nearly time for the men's 1,500m final
Which means it's Jake Wightman time!
Can the Scot back up his World Championship gold with a Commonwealth title?
Here's a big of pre-race reading - well worth a bit of your time, all about his running-mad family and his dad commentating on his win in Eugene.
READ: Jake Wightman's gold medal 'fulfils prophecy' for the first family of athletics
12:59 PM
Sophia Dunkley has gone for 19
The opener tried to hit across the line and is trapped leg before.
England are 28 for one off 2.5 overs with 165 the target.
12:52 PM
England ease to final of men's 4x100m final
The defending champions - a quartet of Jona Efoloko, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake and Ojie Edoborun - winning in 38.46secs. Trinidad and Tobago were second as medal contenders Australia fell over on the last baton change. Guyana came through to grab third.
12:47 PM
Great start for England
As they chase India's 164 in the T20 at Edgbaston.
Sophia Dunkley has 17 off seven with England on 24 without loss after 1.3 overs.
12:35 PM
Like Scotland, England's women are though to the 4x100m final
Asha Philip, Imani Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Ashleigh Nelson ran 42.72 seconds, finishing behind Nigeria, with Australia taking the final automatic spot.
12:31 PM
India finish on 164 for five
They started off on fire scoring 64 without loss in the powerplay. But England were able to stem the run rate and will have a target of 165 to get to the final.
Smriti was the star of the innings scoring a rapid-fire 61 off 32 balls, she was ably assisted by Jemimah (44 not out off 31), Harmanprett (20 off 20) and Deepti (22 off 20).
We could be in for another tight one.
12:21 PM
Scotland third in their 4x100m heat
In a time of 45.39 secs - a new national record. They finished behind Jamaica and India.
12:16 PM
After 18 overs
India are 146 for three - the partnership between Deepti and Jemimah is worth 40 and they are look at a total in excess of 165.
11:58 AM
Another wicket at Edgbaston
India's Harmanpreet pulls hard and Bouchier takes a brilliant catch running in from the boundary at square leg!
India are 106 for three off 13.2 overs. England have slowed their run-rate since that blistering opening stand.
11:57 AM
Disappointment for Morgan Lake
The English star ends in fourth in the high jump final.
11:53 AM
Morgan Lake fails with her last attempt at 1.95
She finishes just outside the medal positions - the worst spot - and has to settle for fourth.
Jamaica's Lamara Distin wins the gold, Australia's world champion Eleanor Patterson takes the silver, with Distan's compatriot Kimberly Williamson grabbing the bronze.
11:39 AM
Morgan Lake clears 1.92
At the second attempt - just what she wanted.
11:35 AM
Two wickets in two overs for England
And they've got the wicket they wanted - Smriti is caught by Wong in the deep off the bowling of Nat Sciver.
The Indian big-hitter goes for 61 with her side on 77 for two.
11:34 AM
Jemima Montag wins the walking race gold
The Australia won over the 10k distance in a time of 42 mins 34 secs, which is quicker than I run the same distance...
11:32 AM
England have their first wicket
Verma goes for 15 but she's played a good supporting role in that Indian opening stand of 76 off 7.5 overs.
11:30 AM
Morgan Lake fails at her first attempt at
1.92.
Nobody has cleared that height with their first attempt. No one looks to be jumping that well in the high jump final.
11:24 AM
Smriti is on fire
The Indian has reached her 50 off just 23 balls - the fastest of the Games - she's taking the game to England.
It's a great powerplay for India, after six overs they are 64 without loss.
11:22 AM
In the women's high jump final
England's Morgan Lake and Laura Zialor have cleared 1.85m. Emily Borthwick has already exited.
11:19 AM
India off to a sparkling start
Smriti is taking on the England attack - she's been in fine form this competition and she's brought that into this semi-final.
India have reached the 50 inside five overs with Smriti on 45 off 21...dominant.
11:13 AM
India are 28 without loss
After three overs in the opening T20 semi against England.
India won the toss and elected to bat at a packed Edgbaston.
11:09 AM
AUSTRALIA WIN GOLD IN THE BOWLS!!
What a match! What a finish!!
With the last bowl of the tie-break Ellen Ryan knocks England's scoring bowl out of the way, meaning the Aussies win 19-18...
The England pair of Sophie Tolchard and Amy Pharoah played superbly but Australia's Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic cameback brilliantly from 11-2 down to grab the gold with the last roll of the dice.
Great entertainment.
11:01 AM
Two balls to go in the pair's final
Nail-biting...
11:00 AM
First gold of the day goes to Wales
Gemma Frizelle takes gold in the rhythmic gymnastics hoop final.
She scored 28.700 to beat Cypriot Anna Sokolova to the title. Canada's Carmel Kallemaa took the bronze.
10:55 AM
Emily Borthwick out of the high jump final
The English athlete cannot make it over 1.81m after three attempts and departs the competition.
10:54 AM
Amy Pharoah plays a clutch bowl
With the last bowl of the final.
Australia had a two until Pharoah knocked one of those out so the end ended 1-0 to the Aussie making is 18-18 overall.
We're going to a 19th end!
10:50 AM
The T20 semis are upon us
England face India in the first last-four clash at Edgbaston. They will battle it out for the right to face the winner of Australia vs New Zealand, whose semi-final gets under way at 6pm.
England hold the recent historical advantage over today's opponents winning a three-match series 2-1 a year ago.
10:47 AM
It's a nail-biting finish in the bowls
England lead the Aussie 18-17 after the penultimate end...
Squeaky bum time....
10:36 AM
The action is under way at the track
The focus for the first couple of hours will be the women's high jump final.
Going for England are the trio Morgan Lake, Laura Zialor and Emily Borthwick.
The women's 10,000 race walk final has just started - the Australia trio of Katie Hayward, Rebecca Henderson and Jemma Montag are the favourites. Wales' British champion Bethan Davies won bronze over a 20km distance at the Commonwealth Games four years ago. She goes for the home nation as does her compatriot Heather Lewis.
I'll be honest with you, I don't know much about race walking other than it looks really awkward/uncomfortable and competitors can be disqualified within sight of the finish line if deemed to have broken into a trot...harsh...
10:26 AM
Jamaica into the final!
Of the netball. That's thanks to their dominant 67-51 win over New Zealand in the first semi-final.
They backed up their brilliant win over Australia in the group stage with another impressive performance. They took the lead early on and never relinquished it.
They face the winner of Australia - England and whoever comes out on top in that one will be all too aware that they will face a huge battle for the gold against the Jamaicans.
10:19 AM
Level at 16-16 after 14 ends
In the England vs Australia pair's bowls final.
10:11 AM
Having been 11-2 down
Australia's Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic have come back brilliantly in the pair's final. They now enjoy a 16-12 lead over the England pair of Sophie Tolchard and Amy Pharoah.
Can the hosts find their form and luck (everyone needs a bit of luck...) again and mount a counter charge?
Five ends left.
10:06 AM
It's very tight in the bowls
After 12 ends it's all square at 12-12...great comeback from the Aussies - six ends left.
10:02 AM
Jamaica in complete control against the Kiwis
With less than two minutes left in the third quarter they lead 49-35 in the first semi-final.
A reminder that England take on Australia in the other last-four clash later.
09:48 AM
Great comeback from Australia
In the pair's lawn bowls final - having been 11-2 down they are now just one back of the hosts. It's now 11-10 to England after the 10th end.
09:37 AM
Jamaica lead New Zealand
36-22 at the halfway stage in the netball semis. A lot of work for the Kiwis to do if they are to make the final.
09:32 AM
Making shapes
09:20 AM
At the end of the first quarter
In the Jamaica - New Zealand netball semi-final the Jamaicans lead the Kiwis by 18-9.
09:14 AM
A great sixth end for England!
In the bowls final - England's Sophie Tolchard and Amy Pharoah are having a stormer and they pick up four more points to lead the Australians 11-2.
09:12 AM
Jamaica with the early advantage
In the Netball semi-final against New Zealand. With five minutes left in the first quarter they lead 13-7.
09:11 AM
After five ends
England lead the Aussies by 7-2. Amy Pharoah is playing a blinder at the moment and the hosts have a five-point lead.
09:04 AM
England are battling it out with Australia
For gold in the women's pairs bowls over in Victoria Park.
England are currently 6-2 up after four ends. Can they hold on?
09:01 AM
The first big event of the day is about to get under way
It's the first of the women's netball semi-finals. The impressive Jamaicans, who shocked Australia 57-55 to top their pool, are facing New Zealand.
Later England face old foes Australia.
08:54 AM
Wightman going for back-to-back 1,500m golds
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's coverage of day nine of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
With the action drawing to a close there remains several medals to hand out and today will see what's likely to be some great entertainment on the tracks, fields and pitches of England's second city.
The highlights of today include several finals on the track.
In the men's 1,500 Scotland's Jake Wightman will be looking to back up his World Championship gold with another at the Alexandra Stadium. He's the favourite for this race and is doubtless keen to improve on his bronze from the Gold Coast four years ago. Also going in that race are his compatriots Josh Kerr and Neil Gourley, and for England Elliot Giles and Matthew Stonier will carry the home hopes.
Wightman's father and coach Geoff will again be on commentary duties as the English-born but Edinburgh-raised star targets gold for Scotland. That race is one to watch over your lunch with a 1.10 start time.
In the evening Laura Muir and Keely Hodgkinson goes in the women's 800m final, looking to make it a double gold for Scotland in middle distance (depending on how Wightman does earlier...), Zharnel Hughes runs for England in the men's 200m final, and Beth Dobbin will carry the hopes of Scotland in the women's 200m.
On top of all that there's the T20 semi-finals, the men's hockey semis and the final of the men's lawn bowls. Northern Ireland's Gary Kelly faces Malaysia's Fairul Izwan Abd Muin in the first semi, with Scotland's Ian McLean facing Australia's Aaron Wilson in the other.
All this on a day after history was made when Scotland's George Miller became the oldest gold medallist in the history of the Games when Scotland beat Wales in the B2/B3 mixed pairs bowls.
The 75-year-old Miller is director for visually impaired bowler Melanie Innes, who along with Robert Barr and his lead director Sarah Jane beat Wales 16-9 in the final at Victoria Park, Lymington Spa.
"A year ago I never dreamed of being here. I got a phone call, and nearly fell off my chair to be honest. Here we are - where are we going to go from here?" Miller told the BBC.
"Bowls is easier for older people but any sport ... walking football, rugby, you name it. Get out there and exercise, play games, and compete. It's brilliant whatever age you are."
Miller took the record as oldest gold medallist from Rosemary Lenton, also from Scotland, who at 72 won gold in the Para women's pairs bowls last Wednesday.
