Jess Pugh enjoys a dream Commonwealth Games debut
Jess Pugh enjoyed a dream debut for Team England as she marked her first appearance at the Commonwealth Games on a winning note.
Playing alongside women’s doubles partner Chloe Birch, Pugh rounded off a perfect day against Uganda, their victory making it 5-0 on day one of the mixed team event.
Their convincing 21-12, 21-12 win, achieved in just 25 minutes, certainly set the bar high for the rest of the tournament on Australia’s Gold Coast.
“We were confident going in,” said 21-year-old Pugh, from Telford. “We knew were the favourites.
“Being the favourites and winning this match in this arena gives us the confidence moving forward.”
Pugh and Birch sealed England’s 5-0 rout of Uganda, after Gabby and Chris Adcock prevailed in the mixed doubles in just 18 minutes.
Next up were Rajiv Ouseph and Birch in the men’s and women’s singles respectively, both of whom won their ties in straight games.
Olympic bronze medallists Chris Langridge and Marcus Ellis kept the momentum going with an encouraging 21-9, 21-5 victory before Pugh and Birch finished the day.
Today will almost certainly bring tougher opposition, with clashes against South Africa and Australia to determine whether a medal, and possible upgrade on the team silver from your years ago, happens.
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