More than half of Jersey’s Commonwealth Games team members were straight into action on day one of sport at Birmingham 2022.
Artistic Gymnastics: In the gymnastics, Daniel Lee (pictured above) got his Games off to a superb start, dominating subdivision one and drawing much praise from the BBC commentators. Dan finished top of his group in the All-Around scoring (78.05) but had to wait on other results later in the day to see if he had made the final. This evening it was confirmed he had done enough to qualify (in 10th) for Sunday’s All-Around final. He’s also first reserve for the Rings final and second reserve for the Floor final.
Boxing: Tom Frame (pictured above) became Jersey’s first boxer since 1998 to fight at a Commonwealth Games. Competing in the light welterweight “round of 32”, against experienced Louis Richarno Colin of Mauritius, Tom suffered a unanimous points defeat.
Lawn Bowls: Jersey’s triples team of Scott Ruderham, Greg Davis and Malcolm de Sousa were the first Jersey competitors in action at the Games. They pulled away for a 19-11 opening group victory over the Cook Islands, and followed that up with a 26-9 win against the small South Pacific Ocean island of Niue. Jersey’s pairs team of skip Ross Davis and lead Derek Boswell were beaten 22-7 by Scotland this afternoon but bounced back with a 27-9 triumph against Niue .
Aquatics/Swimming: All seven of Jersey’s swimming squad were in action in the pool on the opening day, with a series of personal bests and island records broken. The mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team made tonight’s final, finishing in 7th spot (3:42.31), while Harry Shalamon progressed as far as the semi-final stage in the 100m backstroke event. Harry’s 56.07 in his heat was a new personal and island best.
Triathlon: 23-year-old Ollie Turner (pictured below with Jersey supporters) was Jersey’s representative in the sprint distance triathlon at Sutton Park, competing in his second Commonwealths. Ollie was as high as fourth place midway through the cycle and ultimately crossed the line in 15th spot, an improvement on his 26th placed finish from four years ago in Gold Coast.
The Jersey squad is competing across eight sports at the 2022 Games. Amongst tomorrow’s (Saturday) action, Jersey’s bowls triples and pairs are back in group matches, and cyclist Rhys Pilley goes in the 4km Individual Pursuit at Lee Valley, London. Pilley takes on Canada’s Michael Foley in heat one. In tomorrow’s swimming, Ollie Brehaut, Lily Scott, Gemma Atherley, Robbie Jones and Isaac Dodds all go in individual heats, before more relay action.