Thursday, October 7, 2010

India beat England to archery gold

Amy Oliver
Oliver was distracted by the home support

England's women missed out on archery team recurve gold in controversial fashion when they were beaten 207-206 by India at the Commonwealth Games.

England held the lead going into the final set of arrows but a score of six by Amy Oliver meant they missed out.

The result was not without controversy with the vocal Indian crowd clearly distracting Oliver when she set up for the shot which cost England gold.

England's other team members were Alison Williamson and Naomi Folkard.

Williamson put a brave face on the loss but acknowledged that competing in front of a vociferous Indian crowd at the Yamuna Sports Complex was not easy.

"Obviously it was a difficult way to finish," said the 38-year-old Long Mynd archer. "But if you'd offered us silver on the plane on the way over here we possibly would have taken it.

"After winning two golds yesterday and silver today, it's still been a strong showing from the England team. We have the men's and individuals to come and I hope we can to add to the tally.

"Obviously, this is not a typical archery crowd but we're not making any excuses because we shoot as a team.

"I liken it to golf, though. You don't get people clapping and shouting when someone is teeing off.

"But, as I say, it's not an excuse. We respect the Indian team and they were worthy winners."

Indeed, it was always going to be difficult against the hosts, who scored an impressive 213 in the semi-final against Malaysia, winning by 28 points.

But England more than matched them almost all the way in the final, despite the partisan supporters to finish with a third medal from as many events.

Canada beat Malaysia 202-192 in the bronze medal match.

In the women's hockey England were beaten 4-1 by New Zealand on day five. It meant New Zealand moved to the top of the group with England suffering their first defeat of the Games, although they can still qualify for the knockout stages.

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