Glasgow: England triumphed in the Commonwealth Games medals table for the first time in 28 years on Sunday, but there were final day consolations for former top dog Australia with wins in men’s hockey and netball.
England started the day already assured of top spot in the medals table for the first time since 1986, dethroning Australia.
With just 11 more golds to be decided on a rain-hit final day, Lizzie Armitstead struck further gold for England in the women’s cycling road race going one better than four years ago in New Dehli.
Fellow English rider Emma Pooley finished 25 seconds behind to finish second and add to the silver she won in the time trial.
“I can call myself a champion finally. It’s special and something I’ve always dreamed about,” Armitstead said.
“I just feel like I deserve this. I’ve trained so hard and I’m always on the podium but I don’t win too many races.”
Welsh rider Geraint Thomas then won gold in the gruelling men’s 168km road race.
Thomas, who won bronze in the time trial, survived suffering a puncture with just 6km to go to finish in a time of four hours 13 minutes and five seconds.
A sprint finish saw New Zealand’s Jack Bauer claim silver while Scott Thwaites took bronze for England.
“I’m a massive diesel engine at the moment,” said Thomas, whose day got even better when it was revealed he would carry the Welsh flag in the closing ceremony later Sunday.
Australia won gold in the men’s hockey with a 4-0 thumping of India for a fifth consecutive Commonwealth title, and in the netball with a 58-40 revenge win over New Zealand, who beat them at the same stage four years ago.
Scottish hopes of a 20th gold medal were dashed when Kirsty Gilmour lost 21-14, 21-7 to Canada’s Michelle Li in the badminton women’s singles final.
India’s Kashyap Parupalli was a popular winner in the men’s singles title as he beat Derek Wong of Singapore in a three-game classic to win gold.
“I’m so happy,” said the 27-year-old Indian. “This championship means such a lot to me. These Games come every four years and that’s what drove me on.”
English husband and wife pairing Chris and Gabrielle Adcock comfortably won the mixed doubles, Khe Wei Won equalled the Malaysian badminton gold medal record as she went level on four with Eei Hun Chun after she won the women’s doubles with partner Vivian Kah Mun Hoo. (AFP)
