The girls gave everything, says White

Nicola White with her silver medal

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NICOLA White’s England missed out on golden glory at the Commonwealth Games in the most agonising of fashions.

Having reached the final at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow courtesy of a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against New Zealand, 24 hours later the tables were turned as Australia won the gold medal match following a 1-1 draw.

White and her team-mates led 1-0 thanks to teenager Lily Owsley’s strike, but the Aussies made it 1-1 with just 11 seconds left on the clock. Jodie Kenny fired home following a second penalty corner.

Australia rejoiced wildly as the puck hit the back of the net, before Alex Danson, Susie Gilbert and new Holcombe signing White all failed to beat ’keeper Rachael Lynch as England lost the shoot-out 3-1.

A silver medal is one which White (26) will undoubtedly treasure, however.

It bettered the Games bronze she returned from Delhi with four years ago, and certainly put to bed the memories of the miserable showing England produced at the Rabobank World Cup tournament just seven weeks ago.

White, who won also won a bronze as part of the Great Britain team at the London Olympics in 2012, beamed: “Glasgow have put on an amazing Games and I have enjoyed every minute of my time in Scotland.

“Family and friends travelled up specially to watch the match on Saturday and the match was everything a final should be about.

“It was hard fought and nail-biting to be involved in.

“The girls gave everything — you couldn’t have asked for anything more.

“It was a very well-deserved silver medal and I am thrilled for everyone in the squad.

“ It is disappointing as we were so close to winning, but a silver medal is a huge achievement and I’m going to show it off with pride.”