History beckons as Brown edges closer to final date

The 22-year-old is already the first disabled athlete to compete for England in an able-bodied event at the Commonwealths, and could become the first medallist as well.

Brown, alongside Nicky Hunt and Nichola Simpson, eased through their quarter-final with New Zealand 227-221 and will face Malaysia in the next round today.

The trio will become the first English archers to win Commonwealth gold since 1982 if they succeed.

However Brown – who won women's individual compound gold at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 – insists she will not be thinking about history until it is made.

"New Zealand started off with a two-point lead on us so it was a pretty tough match from the start but we shot better and better the more it went on," said Brown.

"It is only the second time we have shot as a team. The first was the Shanghai World Cup earlier this year and we are still learning"

Hockey duo Barry Middleton and Alastair Wilson found their feet quickly as England passed their first match test against Trinidad and Tobago with flying colours.

Simon Mantell's double ensured Champions Trophy bronze medallists England ran out comfortable 4-0 victors while Ashley Jackson and Alastair Brogdon also found the net in their opening triumph.

In tennis, a shoulder injury put paid to any hopes Beverley's Katie O'Brien had of progressing in the women's singles.

The 24-year-old suffered a shoulder tear late last week but was given time to rest up after receiving a bye to the second round where she faced India's Rushmi Chakravarthi.

She took the first set 6-1 but it all went downhill from there as she went out with a whimper losing the next two sets 6-7 5-7.

O'Brien – who was seeded third in the women's singles draw – said: "It is just a disappointment really because I've had a torn shoulder all week and I haven't been able to practice at all.

"The medical team has been great though. I didn't think I would be able to play at all. The fact I got on court was an achievement in itself."

In the pool, at the Dr SP Mukherjee Swimming Stadium, Dewsbury's Kate Hutchinson agonisingly missed out on a place in the 200m breaststroke final.

Hutchinson clocked 2:34.08mins to finish third in her heat only to miss out on a swim in the medal showdown by one place after being ninth overall.

"I was disappointed with the time and I think my body has taken the toll from my previous events," said Hutchinson. "I knew I was tired before I went in and I got up for it and excited.

"But sometimes things just do not go to plan and It has been difficult getting up so early like you do for training. Usually I am a faster evening swimmer but you just have to take it on the chin."

Sheffield squash player Nick Matthew booked a semi-final date with England colleague Peter Barker after defeating Australia's Cameron Pilley 11-7 11-5 11-6.

In the women's singles, Harrogate's Jenny Duncalf will face team-mate Alison Waters after safely negotiating her way past New Zealand's Jaclyn Hawkes 11-8 11-4 12-10 in a gruelling 40-minute duel.

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