Athletes take step closer to medals on day seven of Games

30 July 2014

Athletes with University of Bath links took a step closer to the medals in hockey, netball and athletics on day seven of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

For the first time in Glasgow, there were no University of Bath connected athletes in action in finals today (Wednesday), day seven of the Games.

But University of Bath Sports Performance graduate Zoe Shipperley took a step closer to a medal in the women’s hockey.

Her England team beat Management with Marketing graduate Aileen Davies’ Scotland 2-1 today to secure a place in the semi-finals at the Scots’ expense.

England, who finished second in pool B, will play New Zealand in the semi-finals at 2.30pm on Friday (1 August).

England’s netballers have also progressed to the semis.

The 12-strong squad features two players who played for Team Bath in the 2014 Superleague, one of them – Stacey Francis – among five University of Bath graduates in the squad.

England ended their pool B campaign with an emphatic 69-27 win over Barbados tonight to finish second in the pool.

That means they face a tough encounter against reigning Commonwealth champions New Zealand in Saturday’s semi-final in a game getting underway at 10am.

Wales, who include Team Bath defender Billy Pritchard in their squad, came fourth in pool B and now face a 7th/8th place play-off against Northern Ireland at 9.30am on Friday (1 August), while Scotland, who include University of Bath graduate Gemma Sole, face Trinidad & Tobago in the 9th/10 play-off at 7.15pm tomorrow (Thursday).

In athletics, England’s Danny Talbot, a Sports Performance graduate, impressed in winning his 200m heat, with Leon Reid also progressing for Northern Ireland.

Jazmin Sawyers qualified for the long jump final.

Stephen Baddeley, Director of Sport at the University of Bath, said everyone at the Bath is proud of the successes achieved by athletes connected to the University.

“Athletes linked to the University of Bath have already produced some terrific performances at the Commonwealth Games,” he said. “Among the highlights are Chris Walker-Hebborn’s two golds in the pool and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor’s six medals, as well as Megan Fletcher’s judo gold.

“It was also great to see one of our students, Kristian Callaghan, winning a medal on his Commonwealth Games debut,” he added.

“In the first six days of the Games athletes connected to the University won medals on each day and that’s something we and they can be very proud of. I’m sure there’s more success to come and we’re looking forward to cheering athletes on over the remaining days of Glasgow 2014.”

Medals won by athletes with University of Bath links

Gold – 5

Megan Fletcher (judo – under-70kg, England, day 2)
Chris Walker-Hebborn (swimming – 100m backstroke, England, day 2)
Zoe Smith (weightlifting – under-58kg, England, day 3)
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming – 200m individual medley, England, day 4)
Chris Walker-Hebborn (swimming – 4x100m medley relay, England, day 6)

Silver – 9

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming – 200m freestyle, England, day 1)
Amelia Maughan & Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming – 4x100m freestyle relay, England, day 1)
Michael Jamieson (swimming – 200m breaststroke, Scotland, day 1)
Tom Reed (judo – under-81kg, England, day 2)
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming – 100m butterfly, England, day 2)
Gemma Gibbons (judo – under-78kg, England, day 3)
Heather Olver (badminton – team competition, England, day 5)
Will Sharman (athletics – 110m hurdles, England, day 6)
Lizzie Simmonds & Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming – 4x100m medley relay, England, day 6)

Bronze – 7

Andrew Willis (swimming – 200m breaststroke, England, day 1)
Chris Walker-Hebborn (swimming – 4x100m freestyle, England, day 2)
Calum Jarvis (swimming – 200m freestyle, Wales, day 2)
Andy Burns (judo – under-90kg, Scotland, day 3)
Gary Hall (judo – under-90kg, England, day 3)
Amelia Maughan & Siobhan-Marie O’Connor (swimming – 4x200m freestyle relay, England, day 3)
Kristian Callaghan (shooting – 25m rapid fire pistol, England, day 6)

More than 70 athletes with University of Bath links have been selected to compete at Glasgow 2014. They will represent 10 countries and compete in 11 sports, so be sure to find out when they’re in action and keep track of the results.

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For further information members of the media can contact the Team Bath press office at Matchtight Ltd on 01225 383518 or 07765 071683.

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