Birmingham 2022: Team Bath’s Imogen Allison makes big impact as England defeat Silver Ferns and top netball group at Commonwealth Games
Team Bath star Imogen Allison produced one of the moments of the Commonwealth Games netball competition to help England defeat New Zealand and progress to the Birmingham 2022 semi-finals as Pool B winners.
Allison, who studied Sports & Exercise Science at the University of Bath, made a huge impact after coming onto the court at wing-defence with 20 minutes to go, including an incredible interception which she then chased down to feed Eleanor Cardwell for a goal that brought the NEC crowd – and the England bench – to its feet.
That sparked a five-goal burst from England which finally put the game out of reach of World Champions New Zealand, who had recovered from losing the first quarter 15-8 to close within one goal at half-time.
— Team Bath Netball (@TeamBathNetball) August 5, 2022
England, coached by former Blue & Gold player and coach Jess Thirlby, produced a storming start to the third quarter, scoring eight of the first 10 goals, but the Silver Ferns kept battling and cut the lead to three during the fourth period before the host country made that Allison-inspired decisive break to wrap up an eye-catching 54-44 victory.
Next up in the semi-finals are Australia who suffered a surprise 57-55 defeat to Jamaica in their last Pool A match.
Thirlby said: “We’re arriving at the semi-final having taken the scalp of a team above us in the world rankings and that’s got to be good for confidence. This group like making history and we’ve got a big task against a wounded team.
“I’ve been in this job three years and gone on a big journey with these players. This is still a group game but the players will take a lot of energy from that performance.”
The first game of a busy day at the NEC saw Team Bath attacker Betsy Creak once again impress for Wales, converting 30 of her 33 shots to help secure a 60-44 victory over Barbados and a fine fourth place overall in Pool A.
Just above them were Phumza Maweni’s South Africa, who completed their round-robin campaign with a 65-46 win over Scotland. They face Uganda in the fifth-place play-off on Friday, while Wales take on Malawi to determine who finishes seventh overall.
Athletics
University of Bath Economics student Abi Galpin made good progress for Guernsey on her Commonwealth Games debut, placing fourth in her 200m heat in 24.47 to qualify for Friday’s semi-finals.
Badminton
Economics and Mathematics graduate Jessica Li, representing the Isle of Man at her second Commonwealth Games, continued her fine form in the women’s singles, beating Sabrina Scott of Barbados 21-10 21-15 to reach the last 16.
Hockey
A Wales women’s squad featuring Applied Forensic Psychology with Counselling student Holly Munro and Chemistry graduate Eloise Laity placed fourth in Pool A following a 5-0 defeat in their last group match to unbeaten England.
In the men’s competition, Wales – co-captained by Sports Performance graduate Lewis Prosser – finished third in Pool B following a 4-1 defeat to group winners India.
Stay up-to-date with all the results involving University of Bath-associated athletes at the Commonwealth Games by visiting teambath.com/Birmingham-2022.
