Laugher’s hat-trick up and running

Jack Laugher made a successful start to his bid for a Commonwealth Games hat-trick as he won gold in the men’s one metre springboard.

The 23-year-old defended the title he won in Glasgow four years ago with a score of 438.00 to take gold ahead of Australia’s James Connor (412.45) with Scotland’s James Heatly third.

“It was difficult to come out here as defending champion, but I trusted myself and felt strong and confident,” Laugher said.

Laugher will now look to follow up in the 3m springboard today, and in the 3m synchronised springboard in which he will compete alongside Chris Mears tomorrow.

There was silver for England’s Alicia Blagg and Katherine Torrance in the women’s synchronised three-metres springboard as Australia took gold.

Blagg won gold in the event four years ago with the now retired Rebecca Gallantree and placed on the podium once more as Esther Qin and Georgia Sheehan took gold.

Over at the Carrara Stadium, England’s Dina Asher-Smith qualified for the women’s 200m final, clocking a time of 22.44 to finish behind Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson.

“You want to go and win the semi-final but I’m happy to have put down that time,” Asher-Smith said. “You can ease off because you can get into a tear-up if you want to, but something in the back of my mind reminded me it was the semi.”

Zharnel Hughes also reached the men’s 200m final, winning his semifinal in 20.37.

Lisa Whiteside booked a place in the boxing semi-finals and a guaranteed medal after a split decision win over India’s Pinki Rani in their flyweight bout.

The 32-year-old is a two-time world medallist but has been forced to wait for her chance on the big stage due to her former domestic rivalry with allconquering Nicola Adams.

Whiteside’s team-mate Sandy Ryan will face Rosie Eccles of Wales in the women’s 69kg final. Ryan edged MarieJeanne Parent of Canada while Eccles scored a career-best split decision win over home favourite Kaye Scott.

England’s Chris Gregory and Jake Sheaf will play for bronze in the beach volleyball today after a semi-final defeat to Australia.

The hosts prevailed 21-13 21-16, leaving England to face New Zealand after Canada booked the other final place.

England are through to the semifinals of the netball after a first Games win over New Zealand – 54-45 – put them top of Pool B.