James wipes floor with rivals

TAEJA JAMES is a young girl of few words but at the Coomera Indoor Sports Centre she did her talking out on the floor.

The 15-year-old gymnast, only called up by England two weeks ago after an injury to Amy Tinkler, produced a stunning floor run in the team final.

That proved enough to give James and team-mates Georgia-Mae Fenton, Lucy Stanhope, Alice Kinsella and Kelly Simm the silver medal as gold went to Canada, with hosts Australia taking bronze.

James’ floor run, which scored 14.100, was the best of any competitor and sets her up for a tilt at another medal next week in the apparatus finals.

And while she may be shy with a microphone in front of her, expect her to come out of her shell once more when the lights go down.

“It felt amazing to be standing on the podium,” she said. “I knew what I needed to do in that floor routine so I tried my best.

“I wasn’t nervous – it does feel a bit weird to be here after just two weeks but these girls have been a real help.”

Elsewhere, there were wins for England’s men’s and women’s hockey teams and Tracey Neville’s netball squad.

Gold medal favourite Galal Yafai cruised into the quarter-finals of the men’s lightweight boxing with victory over 4ft 6in Cameroonian Simplice Fotsala.

Npower is the Official Partner of Team England and is giving athletes the power of support by recording a new version of Jerusalem. To listen, visit npower.com/ teamengland