IT was the badminton finale that the English fans wanted -- and absoutely right that Simon Archer and Jo Goode should take the Commonwealth Games' gold medal writes Angela Kelly

The Bolton Arena erupted as the country's most enduringly successful badminton duo took the final game, adding to their team gold.

It was especially sweet as it had been a difficult 18 months for both the Sydney OIympics' bronze medallists. Goode had her second child, and Archer came back from a crippling knee injury.

"We both had a point to prove for ourselves. Not that we could play but that we could be world class again, and we did it."

But it could so easily have been different.

A barrage of support from the 3,000 crowd greeted them, but the first game against talented Malaysians Choon Eng Chew and Eei Hui Chin disappeared 0-7 in under three minutes.

However, tight-serving from Jo and varied pace from Simon prompted errors from the Malaysians to give the English pair the second 7-5.

Their opponents never rediscovered their flow , and Archer and Goode took the next two 7-3, 7-3 to win, prompting a mighty roar from 29 year-old Archer.

The English pair admitted they were "very tired" from the packed Games' programme. But they also had bronze medals -- Archer with James Anderson in the men's doubles and Goode with Gail Emms in the women's doubles.

Tracey Hallam did her best to give England more gold, but Li Li of Singapore wreaked her revenge for Hallam's win in the team event. She diffused Tracey's power and pace with a strong defence and deft net touches to take the first game 8-7, then 7-4 and 7-5.

Predictably, the Malaysians had a good Games. Muhammad Hafiz Hashim overcame Tsuen Seng Lee in a dazzlng men's singles final display. And Chew Choon Eng and Chong Ming Chan overcame Tan Fook Choong and Kim Wai Chang in an all-Malaysian men's doubles' final.

Spirited play from New Zealanders Sara Runesten-Petersen and Nicole Gordon failed to stop Li Peng Ang and Pek Siah Lim getting more gold for Malaysia.

qWhile Archer, with a wry grin, promised "four or five years more" when asked how long his successful partnership with Goode was likely to continue, there was a retirement announcement at the Games.

Sara Sankey, the Lancashire stalwart who has been a regular for England, is quitting badminton at the age of 35. "I want to concentrate on coaching now," said mother of two Sara, from Southport. And, while it would have been lovely to finish with a women's doubles' win, she was very happy with her team gold.