Hockeyroos fall short in gold medal decider against England, claiming silver at Commonwealth Games

Tambellup hockey star Penny Squibb is a Commonwealth Games silver medallist after Australia went down to England in the gold medal match on Sunday in Birmingham.

The Hockeyroos went into the Commonwealth Games fresh off a bronze medal at the recent World Cup and they started their quest for gold in strong fashion.

The national women’s team thumped Kenya 8-0 and then beat South Africa 5-0 before a one-goal triumph over New Zealand left them in a strong position.

A 2-0 win over Scotland handed the Hockeyroos top spot in pool B and set up a semi-final showdown with India on Friday.

The Hockeyroos took the lead in the first quarter but a late equaliser from India sent the match into a penalty shootout.

Three terrific saves from goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram and goals from Rosie Malone, Kaitlin Nobbs and Amy Lawton sent the Hockeyroos into the gold medal match as they won the shootout 3-0.

Squibb was hampered by a leg complaint after the win over the Black Sticks in the pool stage and she didn’t feature in the Hockeyroos win over Scotland or their semi-final triumph.

However, the 29-year-old defender, playing at her first Commonwealth Games, returned for the gold medal decider against the host nation.

A four-minute burst in the second quarter set England up for their first Commonwealth Games gold medal in women’s hockey, as the Hockeyroos failed to recover.

Holly Hunt opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and then four minutes later Tess Howard doubled England’s advantage.

Australia earned a penalty corner late in the second quarter and Squibb’s drag flick was well saved by outstanding England keeper Madeleine Hinch.

She produced several high-quality saves to deny the Hockeyroos and despite a late Rosie Malone goal, England would not be denied the gold.

England prevailed 2-1 in front of their home fans, as Squibb and the Hockeyroos collected another international medal.

Hockeyroos head coach Katrina Powell said she was proud of how far her team had come as they ended a two-month-tour with a bronze medal at the World Cup and a Commonwealth Games silver medal.

“The game didn’t go the way we wanted but the campaign and all that we have been through in this last seven and a half weeks on the road has been phenomenal,” Powell said.

“I am so proud of the players and how far we have progressed while we have been away. Hockey players are not used to being away for this long, so there is a lot that goes into making sure you are still up for a game like this after almost two months.

“It’s important to also acknowledge that you win a silver medal. Competitions are really interesting in that you lose gold.

“We just won a bronze at the World Cup so we saw how much happier we were than the silver medallists . . . and I think you miss out on that fun, excitement, experience if you are not happy with winning silver.”