THERE was disappointment for the Great Britain women’s gymnastics team in a Glasgow 2018 European Championships campaign that has been pot-holed with challenges.
They finished just outside the medals in the team final at the SSE Hydro with Russia taking gold, France the silver and the Netherlands bronze.
After a strong opener on bars, the British contingent faltered on beam. An uncharacteristic double fall by Kelly Simm set nerves jangling. Georgia-Mae Fenton also had a few hesitations, while Alice Kinsella almost came a cropper but pulled off the save of the afternoon to stay on the apparatus.
At the halfway mark, the GB women sat in sixth with 74.798 – more than three marks behind bronze medal position Ukraine. Russia led the way with 85.397 with France on 83.733.
Despite a trio of confident performances from Kinsella, Fenton and Taeja James on floor, they were unable to gain any traction by the end of the third rotation, remaining in sixth. Russia led on 125.329 with France almost three marks behind. The Netherlands sat in third at 119.164.
There was a heroic fightback from the Brits on vault with Simm, Kinsella and Lucy Stanhope all scoring in excess of 14.000, but ultimately it was only enough to claim fourth place.
Russia finished in top spot with 165.195 with France second on 161.131 and the Netherlands third posting 159.563. GB finished the competition on 157.263.
The GB team were without reigning European all-around champion Ellie Downie who is recovering from ankle surgery.
Her older sister Becky Downie withdrew after sustaining an injury on beam during podium training in Glasgow.
Claudia Fragapane and Amy Tinkler, who tore an Achilles tendon and ankle ligaments respectively in March, were also absent.
Simm said that the GB team were disappointed but are determined to draw on the positives.
She said: “I’m gutted. Beam didn’t go to plan at all. But the team did so well to pick themselves up and we finished strong, so we can be really proud of that.”
Today’s individual apparatus finals will see Simm compete on bars with Fenton on floor.
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