Team Scotland were delighted to be presented with the Our Sporting Hero Award at the 2018 Daily Record Our Heroes Awards.
The Awards were held at the Double Tree Hilton in Glasgow on 18 May and the team’s outstanding performances in the Gold Coast as they became Scotland’s most successful overseas team in Commonwealth Games history, lead them to picking up the Our Hero Award, presented by category sponsor QTS and football stars Steven Naysmith and Kyle Lafferty.
On an emotional night, Team Scotland stars David McMath (Shooting), Ronnie Duncan (Lawn Bowls), Caroline Duncan (Lawn Bowls), Stacey McDougall (Lawn Bowls), Gareth Murray (Basketball), Nic Collins (Basketball), Adam Hall (Badminton), Lisa Tobias (Weightlifting), Jodey Hughes (Weightlifting), Cara Kennedy (Gymnastics), Kevin Moran (Squash) and Ross Connelly (Wrestling) joined celebrities from the worlds of sport, media and entertainment. Along with other heroes from local communities across Scotland and members of the Armed Forces and Emergency Services, they were presented Awards for the difference they made over the last year.
Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Jon Doig OBE said, “We are humbled to be recognised in such company, it brings home just how much the team means to the people of Scotland when you are acknowledged in this way and makes you even more determined to continue to inspire people in the future.”
Swimmer Duncan Scott, who picked up an incredible six medals for Team Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, has been named as flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony. Duncan became Scotland’s most decorated athlete at a single Games by winning one gold, one silver and four bronze medals.
The Closing Ceremony flag bearer is chosen by the team management; taking into consideration all the performances and stories from throughout the Games. Scott’s record breaking achievement, which included him becoming Scotland’s first ever gold medalist in the 100m Freestyle, has been one of the finest individual displays of the Games.
Duncan follows in the footsteps of other swimming greats, Gregor Tait, who carried the flag into the Closing Ceremony the last time the Games were held in Australia; Melbourne 2006 and Alison Sheppard in 2002.
Speaking about his selection, Duncan said: “To be flag bearer is a complete honour. It’s something we speak about as swimmers, and I’m just immensely proud. It’s not something that many people get the chance to do, it’s only a select few, two people per Games. To be selected for that is an absolute honour. It’s the most medals we’ve ever won at an overseas Games so to lead the team out to close it is just incredible.
“I’m delighted with how I’ve performed up against the best in the world. It’s been great to show just how much quality we have in Scottish Swimming. We had so many amazing performances, including some that haven’t been shown on the medal table. To be named flag bearer and to represent swimming and Team Scotland is really special.”
Jon Doig, Team Scotland’s Chef de Mission added: “The 2018 Commonwealth Games has been a huge success for Team Scotland and we’ve seen some incredible achievements and stories coming from our athletes. Duncan’s performances, night after night in the pool have been outstanding and to come away from a single Games with six medals is phenomenal.”
“Along with his performances in the pool, Duncan is a wonderful ambassador for swimming and for Scotland, and I know the full team will proudly follow him into the Closing Ceremony.”
Robbie Simpson won Team Scotland’s final medal of the 2018 Commonwealth Games today, in the Men’s Marathon. The Banchory runner claimed bronze in a time of 2:19:36 to take Scotland’s final medal count to 44 (9 gold, 13 silver, 22 bronze); with a final medal table position of eighth.
Despite Robbie’s medal there were mixed emotions for Team Scotland on the marathon course. Callum Hawkins, competing in his second Games, had built up a strong lead of over two minutes at the 40km mark before collapsing in the final stages of the race. He was taken to hospital as is standard procedure; but is alert and recovering well.
Speaking after the race, Robbie said: “I am absolutely delighted to get the bronze. I’m disappointed for Callum for not making it to the end as he was going so well. I really felt bad passing him, lying on the ground like that.
“I’ve spent the last four weeks with Callum and he has been great for me, giving me confidence and showing me how the best guys prepare, so I’ve learned a lot from Callum. When I was halfway around and Callum was in the lead, I was thinking I want to get to the end and do the whole Scottish team proud.
“When I saw him lying there, I wanted to stop and see if he was all right, but at the same time I wasn’t feeling that great myself, so I wanted to get to the line before the same thing happened to me and try and get a medal.”
“I was delighted when at two kilometres from the end, at that point I realised I was in the bronze medal position and I just had to get to the end in one piece. With all the people cheering me on and seeing all the Scottish flags, I just thought, right, I’ve got a second wind and I’ve got to make it to the end.”
Basketball
Team Scotland’s Basketball team took to the court for the final time today against New Zealand in the bronze medal match at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Scotland, who are unranked in the FIBA World Rankings lined up against the ‘Tall Blacks’, who are ranked 38th, having overcome England, Cameroon, India and Nigeria on their way to the medal matches.
The Scots started strongly and edged ahead after the first quarter. The Kiwis fought back and led from half-time onwards, eventually taking the match 79-69. Afterwards, Kieron Achara said: “I’m very proud, very proud of our guys. We had some unbelievable spells in the game, we clawed our way back. As a leader of the team, I didn’t bring my A-game today, I’m very disappointed in that.
“The effort, you can’t doubt the effort, we were there from the start. We’ve represented our country well. We came out here to medal, we didn’t achieve that, but like I said, I’m so proud of the guys. What we brought to this tournament, being underdogs, we had that grit, we had that determination, we all made our country proud.”
Rugby Sevens
Team Scotland Rugby Sevens finished sixth at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Robina Stadium today.
The Scots opened their day-two account with an impressive 19-12 win over home-nations rivals Wales, with George Horne combining his ever-presence in support and lighting acceleration to score twice, before Jamie Farndale strode over for his sixth try of the weekend.
The win set up a 5th / 6th placed play-off against host nation Australia, who defeated Scotland 26-0 to bring an end to both teams’ part in the weekend’s rugby.
Squash
Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban took to the show court today for the final time in the bronze medal match against English pair James Willstrop and Declan James on the show court at Oxenford Studios. The English, number four seeds took a tough first game 11-9, and won the second by the same score to take the match 2-0 and along with it, the bronze medal.
The result leaves the Scottish second seeds fourth in the competition. After today’s match Greg Lobban said: “We are very disappointed. We didn’t want to be playing that match, we wanted to play for gold. The Gold Coast has done a good job, the crowd has been really good. Birmingham has a lot to live up to.”
On the penultimate day of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Badminton ace Kirsty Gilmour replicated her medal winning feat from Glasgow four years ago, this time landing bronze on the Gold Coast in the Women’s Singles.
Playing Michelle Li, the Canadian who beat her in the final in 2014, in the bronze medal match, Gilmour was on ferocious form and there was no way she was going home without a medal.
Returning to the court after a tough loss against Indian Saina Nehwal earlier in the day, Gilmour wasted little time asserting her authority on the match, winning the first game 21-11 as her opponent struggled. The second game was a closer affair in the opening stages, but Gilmour soon found her rhythm once more, moving her opponent around the court and racing towards 21 points. Seeing the match out 21-16 Gilmour was naturally ecstatic.
What makes her feat even more impressive though is that until now, Gilmour has never beaten her Canadian arch-nemesis.
Of her efforts Gilmour said: “This is overwhelming – a combination of happiness and relief. It was difficult today, as my semi-final was so close and I fought so hard – I’ve never been in the position where I’ve had to go again. There was a lot going on in my head and it was a big challenge, so to be standing here now as bronze medallist is amazing.“
Earlier in the day Gilmour fought tooth and nail in a truly epic semi-final match against World Championship bronze medallist Nehwal, the Indian eventually prevailing 2-1.
In a grueling match lasting over 75 minutes Gilmour gave herself way too much work to do, trailing heavily early in each of the three games. After losing the first the gritty Scot produced a stunning fight-back from 11-3 down to take the game 21-18 and set up the decider. Once again it was too little too late though, as despite saving two match points she eventually succumbed to the Indian 21-17.
“I love a comeback – it’s never over until its over. I did it in the last game, so I knew that anything was possible and I back myself in those situations. I left it a bit too late today, but I feel like I had a good game and I managed my game plan reasonably well. She’s not former world number one for no reason.”
Jake Wightman went one better than his fourth place finish in the 800m to bag a brilliant 1500m bronze on the final night of track and field at the Carrara Stadium.
The talented middle-distance man ran a great race in the 800m, only to see a medal slip from his grasp in the final few metres; lining up in the 1500m final he was determined to go one better and that’s exactly what he did.
Delivering a flawless tactical performance, Wightman was well placed as the field passed through the bell, making his move down the back straight and kicking into overdrive with 200m to go as he assumed the bronze medal position. From here a medal never looked in doubt, as he chased down Kenyan’s Elijah Manangoi and Timothy Cheruiyot, who finished one-two at last summer’s World Championships, to take bronze.
Crossing the line in 3.35.97, less than a second down on the winner, Wightman was delighted to win his first major medal.
“After missing out on a medal in the 800 I knew I had to come here and get one – I just trusted myself on the last lap. I knew the Kenyan’s were going to be tough to beat and that it would probably be a scrap for bronze but I’m so glad it’s come off like it has. It’s definitely given me confidence that I can double up in the future too.”
Chris O’Hare was also in action, he too acquitting himself well to finish eighth in 3.39.04, despite not being in the kind of shape to challenge for medals due to an injury earlier this year.
Team Scotland’s Women’s 4x400m Relay team broke the Scottish record, which has stood since Delhi 2010, but it still wasn’t enough to win a medal, such was the standard of the event. A quality quartet of Zoey Clark, Kirsten McAslan, Lynsey Sharp and Eilidh Doyle took to the track and produced a performance to be proud of, crossing the line sixth in 3.29.08, nearly two seconds quicker than the previous best.
Doyle was in fact in that team in Delhi, and after running the anchor leg on the Gold Coast commented: “I think this is the first time I’ve run in a Scotland 4x400m team since Delhi when we last broke the record. We knew it was always going to be tough and it would have been nice to have a qualifying round the day before to get a feel for it, but you can’t ask for any more than breaking the Scottish record – the girls have done a really good job.”
Stepping up in distance were Eilish McColgan and Steph Twell, the pair going in the 5,000m having already run the 1500m at the start of the week. After a slow start the pace quickly hotted up causing the field to fracture, but McColgan was more than a match for it, coming home sixth as she did in the 1500m.
“That was tough – I was struggling over the last four laps but I kept plugging away and I managed to catch a couple of the girls ahead. Running two rounds of the 1500m and the 5,000m has been a good learning experience but this isn’t quite where I want to be. Maybe the races were just a little bit too close – I’m almost there but not quite.”
Twell was to the fore early on but having already raced twice was understandably tired, eventually finishing 14th in 16.05.65.
Nikki Manson made her Commonwealth Games debut in the Women’s High Jump Final and competed well to finish seventh with a best of 1.84m. Sailing over 1.75m at the first time of asking, the youngster then went over 1.80m and 1.84m but bowed out at 1.87m.
The final Team Scotland athletes in action will take to the roads tomorrow morning, as Sammi Kinghorn goes in the Women’s T54 Marathon at 06:10hrs (21:10hrs UK time) and Callum Hawkins and Robbie Simpson line up in the Men’s Marathon at 08.15hrs (23:15hrs UK time).
On the penultimate day of competition, Team Scotland brought its medal tally to 43 thanks to bronze medals from 1500m runner Jake Wightman, and Women’s Singles Badminton player Kirsty Gilmour.
With a total of nine gold, 13 silver, and 21 bronze medals, and with more medal events due to be contested, Team Scotland is celebrating its largest ever overseas medal haul.
A round-up of today’s events is below. For full details on today’s medals, please see the feature pieces on Athletics and Badminton.
Tomorrow will see the conclusion of all events for Team Scotland, including the classification stages for Rugby 7s, Men’s Marathon, Women’s T54 Marathon, the Basketball bronze medal match, and Squash Men’s Doubles bronze medal match.
Shooting
Team Scotland’s shooters Ian Shaw, Sandy Walker and Neil Stirton were back in action today on the last day of the shooting competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Six-time Commonwealth Games shooter, Ian Shaw, finished fourth in the Queen’s Prize Individual Final Day 3, beating the Games record and recording his best-ever individual Commonwealth Games performance in the individual event.
Sandy Walker also competed in the event and finished 13th, after securing bronze in the Pairs equivalent event earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, Team Scotland’s Neil Stirton competed in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions qualification this morning and placed 11th, missing out on a spot in the final
The competition drew to a close with Scotland winning six shooting medals.
Basketball
Team Scotland’s Basketball players made history this morning, becoming the first Scottish team to compete in a Commonwealth Games semi-final – where they were drawn against Australia. The top-ten world ranked side got off to a flying start and never looked back, winning 103-46.
Scotland will now turn their focus to Sunday’s bronze medal match against New Zealand, after they were stunned by Canada on the buzzer in a thrilling semi-final.
Speaking after the game, Australian native and Scotland Head Coach Rob Beveridge said:
“We managed to get all of the guys into the game today and they had a wonderful experience out there. There were nerves in the first half but these guys are all going to be so much better for today’s experience.”
“We are aiming for a medal and there was no question how difficult this was going to be in today’s game and from day one. At the end of the day, Scotland is in a medal match tomorrow and we’re all looking forward to that.”
Diving
Lucas Thomson surpassed his own expectations finishing fifth in the 10m platform final on the last night of diving competition.
The 16-year old had a disappointing morning at the prelims, but following rest and a good chat with coach, Jen Leeming, he made lots of improvements and enjoyed the final, putting in a strong series of dives across all six rounds and amassing a points score of 402.80.
Afterwards he spoke of his delight and said: “I’m so chuffed with that performance; it was a big step up from this morning. I managed to hit all of my dives pretty well and was consistent throughout tonight’s competition. It couldn’t have gone much better for me.
“The whole Commonwealth Games experience has been great, I’ve been trying to soak up as much of the experience and atmosphere as possible and take as much away from here as I can. It’s been a huge thing coming all the way to Australia for my first Commonwealth Games and the organisers have put on such a good show and made the event so special.”
Grace Reid was left disappointed at being unable to follow up last night’s gold medal with another in the 3m springboard final. The 21-year old didn’t have the best of starts and was unable to land her first two dives. Despite pulling back, in a very competitive final Reid couldn’t make up the scores and finished on 282.00 points.
Team Scotland won eleven medals from Aquatics (nine swimming, two diving including one gold in each).
Rugby 7s
Team Scotland’s Rugby Sevens missed out on the chance to medal at the Games after they lost to World Rugby Series leaders and Commonwealth champions, South Africa, in the final game of their first day of competition.
The team defeated Papua New Guinea (27-0) and Malaysia (41-0) but, with only the top-ranked team from each group advancing to the last four, Scotland’s last match against South Africa was decisive, with ‘Blitzbokke’ winning 26-5 to end the rugby team’s hopes of securing Team Scotland’s first team medal.
Team Scotland Rugby Sevens will now face Wales at 10:37hrs (01:37hrs UK time) in the Men’s Placing 5-8 rounds, with the resulting 5/6th and 7/8th placing rounds at 13:11hrs and 13:33hrs respectively (04:11hrs and 04:33hrs UK time).
Squash
Alan Clyne and Greg Lobban faced Australian duo and Games fifth seeds Zac Alexander and David Palmer in the Men’s Doubles. In a tough match and with the home crowd roaring, the Scots couldn’t apply the level of pressure on their opponents that had seen them through the previous rounds, and the Australian duo edged a tight first game and followed up with a second to take the match 2-0.
Afterwards Alan said: “It’s not what we wanted but it’s what we’re going to have. So we’re definitely going to fight with everything we’ve got and will be going hard for bronze tomorrow.”
Commenting on today’s opponents, Greg added: “They’ve got experience and David is obviously a former world No.1 so they’re a formidable force. They’ve also been practising doubles for a while during the singles event. We always knew they were going to be tough and they had the home crowd.”
Clyne and Lobban will return to the show court tomorrow for the bronze medal match against England’s Declan James and James Willstrop.
Cycling – Road Race
Neah Evans ended her debut Commonwealth Games with an impressive 8th placing in the Women’s Road Race at Currumbin Beachfront this morning.
Starting with a team of five, Eileen Roe took her turn on the front with just under two laps to go, helping Katie Archibald and Evans to stay in the thick of the pack with 25km left to race. A sprint across the finish line saw Chloe Hosking of Australia grabbing gold, Georgia Williams of New Zealand with silver and Wales Danielle Rowe riding into bronze.
Evans finished eight seconds behind the winner while Katie Archibald crossed in 23rd.
Women’s Road Race results:
Neah Evans, 8th, 3:02:26
Katie Archibald, 23rd. 3:03:38
Eileen Roe, DNF
Isla Short, DNF
Louise Haston, DNF
The Men’s Road Race followed shortly after, beginning in ideal racing conditions with a cloudy sky and slight drizzle – but it wasn’t long before the sun came out and heated things up for the competitors.
Following a rocky start after being caught up in a crash, Grant Ferguson was able race his way back into the pack to support teammate Mark Stewart who ended the race in 17th place, just 57 seconds behind the Australian gold medallist, Steele Von Hoff, Welshman Jonathan Mould in second place, and South African Clint Hendricks.
Men’s Road Race team results:
Mark Stewart, 17th, 3:57:58
Grant Ferguson, 35th, 3:59:35
Kyle Gordon, DNF
Friday the 13th was anything but unlucky for Alex “Tattie” Marshall as he cemented his place in history as the most successful Team Scotland athlete of all time. By winning a gold medal in the Men’s Fours competition, Alex brought his total medal count to five golds and one silver – surpassing Allan Wells’ four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
The win also brings Paul Foster, Alex’s Pairs and Fours partner, up to third position in the rankings, sitting just below Allan Wells with four golds and one silver.
The two, along with Derek Oliver and Ronnie Duncan (who both also collected gold in the Men’s Triples competition), fought hard for a win against Australia in what was a tense and thrilling game. The men were 12-8 down following the 11th end, but slowly moved back into contention over the next three ends, sitting 13-11 down going into the last end.
Following some show-stopping play from all four men, the team scored four bowls in the last end, walking away with a 15-13 win.
Speaking about the win, and his new place in the Team Scotland history books, Alex said: “I went out there today thinking about the win, first and foremost. Becoming the most successful athlete was always in the back of my mind, but today was about getting another medal for Team Scotland. It’s been a fantastic Games for the entire team and we’re so proud to be a part of that.
“Winning five gold medals is just brilliant. My initial dream was for one – so five is incredible. I didn’t do it alone, though, and I need to thank every single person I’ve partnered with along the way.
“I feel like I’ve got a few years left in me yet! I’m looking forward to 2022 and playing with these guys for a few more years.”
Making the day even more special, the Men’s Fours weren’t the only medallists at Broadbeach Bowls Club today as the Women’s Pairs also collected a bronze medal.
Claire Johnston and Lesley Doig defeated Canada 18-10 to take the bronze medal in the Women’s Pairs – making it third time lucky for Claire as she placed fifth in Delhi 2010 and fourth in Glasgow 2014.
Claire said: “It feels amazing. The last two games in Delhi and Glasgow were a bit of a disappointment for me, so I’ve worked hard all year to be prepared for this, and to get a medal is just a dream come true.”
There was no podium finish for defending champion Darren Burnett in the Men’s Singles however, as he was defeated by England’s Robert Paxton 21-14 in the bronze medal match.
Today marked the end of Team Scotland’s Lawn Bowls competition with a total medal tally of five: gold for Men’s Triples and Fours, silver for Women’s Triples and Men’s Pairs, and bronze for Women’s Pairs.
Flower of Scotland played for the second time at the Optus Aquatics Centre as Grace Reid dived to victory in the final of the 1m Springboard.
In a final that was wide open, Reid, who is competing for Team Scotland at her third consecutive Games, dived well across each of the five rounds and grew in confidence. Her best score came in the Forward 1½ Somersaults 2 Twists Free for which she received 59.80 points. Having landed her final dive, the Forward 2½ Somersaults Pike, Reid played the waiting game watching five more competitors finish their programme.
The results were soon confirmed with Reid coming out on top with a new personal best score of 275.30. Australian’s Georgia Sheehan and Esther Qin won silver and bronze respectively. The result marks the first ever medal for a female Scottish diver at a Commonwealth Games, and the first Scottish gold for 60 years.
Afterwards Grace said: “I’m speechless at the moment. I said to myself this morning that I was just going to come into this event and enjoy it and give it everything I had. To walk away with the gold medal is just crazy and I would not have believed that had someone suggested it this morning.
“I had an inkling that I was diving well this evening and that’s a nice feeling to have; it gave me confidence round after round. But I suppose anything is possible with diving, it’s all about what happens on the day and I knew that the gold medal would go to someone who didn’t make mistakes and I’m so happy that someone was me.”
Earlier in the day James Heatly and Lucas Thomson paired up for the 10m Synchro Platform, which was a straight final. They were solid across all six dives and finished 5th with a points tally of 369.60.
Reid is back in action tomorrow in the 3m springboard event. Diving prelims start at 10:01hrs (01:01hrs UK time); Finals start at 19:01hrs (10:01hrs UK time).
Seonaid McIntosh added to her family’s Commonwealth Games legacy with her second medal in two days at the Belmont Shooting Complex in Brisbane, a bronze in the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions.
Elder sister Jen is Team Scotland’s most successful female athlete of all-time, a title she took from mum Shirley, and the youngest McIntosh is now making a name of her own.
Reflecting on the event, Seonaid said “It was hard to get into the final and I really didn’t go great at the start of that. Prone was okay and my standing is normally my best, so I was quite pleased with how I managed to climb my way back up.”
Adding a second bronze medal to her personal tally for the Games, Seonaid said “I’m really happy – I wish my air rifle had gone a wee bit better, but you can’t really complain with two medals.”
Sister Jen competed alongside Seonaid in the final and finished eighth.
The three-time Commonwealth Games shooter, who also missed out on a medal in the Women’s 50m Prone Final, said “It’s not been a great Games for me. It’s disappointing. I really struggled with yesterday and to come back from that and make the final today. The nerve just wasn’t there in the final. I worked really hard throughout and that’s all I can ask of myself.”
Today’s competition closed with Team Scotland’s Sharon Niven in the Women’s 50m Trap final, who finished sixth.
Team Scotland’s shooters are back in action tomorrow with Neil Stirton first up in the Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions qualification from 9am (noon GMT). Ian Walker and Sandy Walker are also in action for the Queen’s Prize Individual Finals Day 3.
Team Scotland boxers Reece McFadden and John Docherty will take home bronze medals from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, after losing out in their respective semi-finals at Oxenford Studios today.
First up, Reece faced Northern Ireland fighter Brendan Irvine, with the Motherwell Boxer looking sharp throughout the three rounds. McFadden looked to land the majority of the punches and had the Australian crowd in raptures throughout. At the close of three rounds, the judges awarded the bout to the Northern Irishman to the surprise of most in the arena.
Afterwards Reece said: “I thought I boxed really well. I caught him with the cleaner shots. I thought I won that fight. I’m devastated. I came here for gold and I believe I won that fight. I was enjoying myself throughout. I’ve been boxing since I was seven years-old and I know when I win.”
In the evening session, John faced the talented Cameroon fighter Dieudonne Wilfried Seyi Ntsengue, who has been impressing the Australian crowds with his aggressive style. John started well, but couldn’t get the better of the African Middleweight, who must now be the favourite for gold going into tomorrow’s final bout.
Reflecting on the fight, John said: “Bronze feels good but to be honest I’m sick. I’ve trained hard for that gold medal and I’m so disappointed not to get it. I tried to box him, but he was too long in reach and awkward. After that I had to take it to him. I’ve had four hard fights and I felt it in there tonight. I’ve beaten some good boys on the way but I know I could have done better tonight.”
Both boxers will collect their medals tomorrow following the conclusion of the gold medal bouts at Oxenford Studios.