Dixon earns Commonwealth Games bronze medal with England Hockey

Newark's Adam Dixon won a bronze medal after England beat New Zealand on penalties in a thrilling match at the Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand's Blair Hilton and Simon Child failed to beat England keeper George Pinner with penalties, and Ashley Jackson converted the winner to give England, and former Newark Hockey Club player Dixon, victory.

It is the first time England have won a medal in hockey since the sport was introduced to the Games in 1998.

Child had given New Zealand the lead with a strong run and finish, and England looked rattled when first Iain Lewers and then Jackson were sin-binned.

The match turned on its head during an intense four minutes before half-time when Alastair Brogdon and Jackson gave England the lead.

But Andy Hayward levelled immediately with a penalty corner to make it 2-2.

In the second half, Jackson's strike from a penalty corner put England in front again, but Child responded to force the shootout.

There was also more medal success for Southwell's Peter Mills, who added a bronze medal to the silver medal he won earlier in the badminton.

Mills and partner Chris Langridge beat No. 1 seeds Chris Adcock and Andrew Ellis to win an all-England men's doubles play-off.

Mills won silver in the team competition last week.

It has been a successful Commonwealth Games for all three athletes from the Advertiser area, with four medals won overall.

Newark powerlifter Natalie Blake won silver on Saturday. For more reaction to the Games see Thursday's Advertiser.