England win trio of Commonwealth silvers

England won three badminton silvers and one netball bronze while Wales claimed a silver in the rhythmic gymnastics on the final day of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

England were hoping to add to their gold medal tally on Day 11 but the Malaysians had other ideas.

Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork went down in the mixed doubles final, Rajiv Ouseph lost to world number one Chong Wei Lee in the men's singles and Robertson and Anthony Clark were beaten by Kien Keat Koo and Boon Heong Koo.

"Two silvers today - personally I am very satisfied with that," said Robertson.

"I know we were top seed in the mixed but we didn't have great form coming into the competition."

India moved level on gold medals with England when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponappa beat Singapore pair Shinta Mulia and Yao Lei and, when Saina Nehwal beat Wong New Choo in the women's singles final, India had secured 38 golds to England's 37 to claim second place in the Games medals table behind Australia with England in third place.

Francesca Jones secured a silver medal for Wales in the women's hoops final.

Jones scored 24.750 points to finish behind Malaysian gold medal winner Elaine Koon who scored 25.300 for gold.

Chrystalleni Trikomiti of Cyprus took the bronze medal with 24.500.

Jones, who was fourth in the rope and ball and sixth in the ribbon, said of her hoops silver: "This will change my future in a good way."

England's netballers won the bronze medal beating Jamaica 71-47 at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex.

England, inspired by goal shooter Louisa Brownfield, took a 12-point lead into the final quarter and never looked in danger of surrendering it.

The England players celebrated on court holding a St George flag with 'thank you India' written on it.

"We really wanted to come out today and prove we are still world class," said goal attack Pamela Cookey, who plays for Superleague side TeamBath.

England built an unassailable lead to go in at half-time 33-23 up and powered through the third period to go into the final quarter of the game leading 50-38.

Co-captain and centre Karen Atkinson, who plays her club netball for Hertfordshire Mavericks, said: "I didn't think we expected to come away with that sort of score but it kind of reflected how we played all week."

In a dramatic netball final New Zealand beat Australia 66-64 to take the gold medal.

England suffered more penalty heartbreak as they were denied a bronze medal after defeat to New Zealand in the men's hockey at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.

England battled their way back from 3-1 down in normal time to force the extra period with a hat-trick from Simon Mantell, but when it came to the shoot-out the New Zealanders came out on top.

Adam Dixon saw England's third penalty saved by Kyle Pontifex and that proved to be the difference.

It was the second consecutive defeat on penalties for England, who had lost their semi-final against India in the same fashion.

In the men's final Australia cruised to an 8-0 win over host nation India.

Singapore won gold and silver in the women's doubles table tennis and gold and silver in the men's singles.