A very busy day at the pool today.
We started off with the 800m freestyle, Erin was in the top ladies division and had a tough race, she came 7th. Ciarán then did his race and came second bringing home another silver medal.
This afternoon we had the 100m freestyle where Sophie came 4th - this was a very close race less than 2 seconds from first to fifth. Sophie did knock 7 seconds off her time getting a new personal best. This was followed by Shannon coming in 5th in her division.Last race of the day was Sandra in the 25m backstroke and she swam really well getting a PB and coming in 6th.
Great day at the pool only one race left tomorrow morning for the swim team.
Someone please turn off the wind. Another eventful day at the golf leaves all the players in with a shout in the medal hunt. It is really quite incredible - some of the scores that are coming in especially in these conditions. It is known to blow at Yas , maybe for a day , but it is unheard of for it to have wind like this for 3 days in a row. Fair play to Team SOGB - not one moan or complaint - they are just getting on with the job at hand & loving every minute of it. Not going to say any more - don't want to jinx things.
GB women's Basketball get the Bronze!!
After a hard-fought path to the Semi Finals, the GB girls faced Team USA for the third time this competition in an early game, tipping at 9.30am. With a fantastic crowd to support, the team were hyped up and ready to play hard. The first quarter saw the ladies defend brilliantly, keeping the opposition to 6 points. Lots of subs, and a change of defensive tactics allowed GB to keep team USA to under 10 points at the half.
Unfortunately during the 2nd half the girls were unable to sustain the intensity shown in previous games and the US just proved too strong an opposition, pulling away to win the game 23 - 9.
As a coaching team we could not be prouder of the girls and cannot wait until our medal ceremony on Thursday!
Dressage and final day for the equestrian was a great success for all the riders, with everyone gaining a medal! James Reed- Griffiths did particularly well to win Gold in his division as his horse was very spooky at both judges tables. He rode with great calmness and tact! Lucy Warne rode her horse very well to achieve Gold in her division, and Kristen Wrate showed a huge improvement in the Arab she was riding to also gain a Gold in her division. Tom Miller coped really well with a minor blip to win Silver, then T-Jay Wilson and Mairi Stuart rode really tidy tests to win Bronze in their sections! Very well done to the whole team who have remained in great spirits despite the very early mornings and late nights! Everyone looking forward to a day off tomorrow!
Great day today, Rhythmic girls did very well Caroline Jennison got silver, Mica Hoare came 7th in level 1, Jannette Sharpe won gold and Lizzie Williams came 5th in level 2, Alison Makenzie got silver and Amy Clark got bronze in the all round competition, well done girls!
Today we had two events on the track, and a visit to the Dubai Dolphinarium in-between.
The day started with Darren Carruthers in the 3000m final at 9.20. Darren started off the race strong and quickly got into a good rhythm. He took on many learning points from the 1500m earlier in the week and was hungry for some silverware more than ever. Darren ran a clever race today and played to his strengths. He waited for his time to shine running the majority of the race in 4th position, but right when it mattered the most he took off passing his fellow 3000m runner and ran through the line into bronze medal position.
Next up after a great visit to the diving acrobatic dolphins we had Adam in the 100m final at 17.28.
Adam who is working hard to fight off a nasty cold was determined to put the disappointment from his 200m earlier in the week behind him and enjoy his second race of the competition. Adam was placed in a speedy heat which was the second fastest divisions of the competition. Adam had an excellent start and held his technique throughout the race. Adam finished 8th in a very fast race and felt proud that he was competing in such a high category with merit.
Quiet day for tennis today. Just one match, which was Lily who won her first singles. We Had a relaxing afternoon going to watch cycling at Yas. We took a sneak peek at the marina around the back of the paddocks! The team had a great day.
SOGB football went into the final full of confidence following their win against Australia the previous day. If they could repeat the result the squad knew they were returning with gold around their necks.
The plan was to start positively and put Australia on the back foot. GB were yet to concede a goal in the entire competition, so if they were to get ahead early they could defend their lead for the rest of the game, against an Australian side with two very effective attacking players.
Not all went to plan as Australia started brightly, and were awarded a free kick which GB Head Coach described as more than dubious. A direct ball was sent into the box, and GB failed to clear it at the first attempt, the ball dropped and unfortunately bounced off Steven Johnson in the box and through Sean McCulloch’s legs and into the net. Not the start everyone had envisioned. 1-0 down after 2 minutes.
GB responded well, their work rate and positive attitude on the pitch throughout the week has been a clear reflection of how well the squad have bonded on and off the field. The team pressed forward with Ste Law Bate causing the Aussie back line all sorts of problems. There were some very strong challenges put in by the Aussies, with Law Bate being in the end of many crunching tackles, this only spurred the team on further and it was Law Bate that scored the equaliser on the 5th minute showing his fast feet and bravery in the Aussie box.
Australia were shell shocked and GB showed a ruthlessness in going forward which has been evident in previous games. Joe McKenzie’s runs from deep on the left ripped open the opposition defence and finally on the 7th minute McKenzie fired GB into the lead with a left footed strike. The captain has had a great tournament and he was pushing his team on through the game with his energy throughout the first half.
In a pivotal moment Australia again managed to carve open the GB back line, but Sean McCulloch was determined not to be beaten for a second time and came out to bravely smother the attack on the edge of his box.
The goals and the save seemed to spur GB on further, and the Australians appeared to be shell shocked by the quick double they had conceded. It was unfortunate that Law Bate had to be withdrawn due to an injury picked up at the hands of the Aussie back line. GB continued to rally regardless, and space was beginning to open up in the middle of the park for the team to start putting some brilliant passing moves together.
On the 19th minute, vice captain, Derek Taylor drove into space in the Aussie half before unleashing a thunderbolt into the top corner of the net. A goal much deserved for Derek’s efforts throughout the tournament, and one that surely mean that GB could take the gold home at the end of the game.
The team regrouped at half time. The plan was to continue to compete, and to try to catch Australia on the break as they chased a goal to get back in the game.
A completely professional performance was put in throughout the second half, every member of the GB squad worked hard in the blistering sun, and Australia weren’t given a second on the ball to get themselves back into the game. The next 20 minutes passed without any real incident and GB were crowned champions when the ref blew for the final time this week.
Scenes of celebration with families and amongst the team followed, and the squad are delighted that their hard work has paid off this week.
Kiera Byland won another gold in the 10k final. Natalie Salter won Gold and Leanne Peters won silver in there 10k final from there division. Daniel Weston won silver in his 10k men’s race, Ruairidh Brown won Gold, Luke Worgan won silver and Alistair Graham won bronze all in the same race! Great day on the tracks for the cycling team.