Beach Volleyball: Team Scotland’s first ever Beach Volleyball pair’s hopes of a Bahamas 2017 Youth Games medal were dashed at the final hurdle as they fell just short in the bronze medal match against Rwanda.
Looking to cap an outstanding Games, Emma Waldie and Jennifer Lee started well, looking comfortable early in the first set. As the match intensified, so did the heat in the stadium but Scotland worked hard to move ahead and take the first set 21-15.
A similarly close second set left the strong Scottish fan-base on tenterhooks with the lead changing multiple times in the set. Scotland had the opportunity to serve for the match, and the medal, but were unable to seal the deal. Rwanda capitalised and were able to take the second set 24-26.
With the decider looming, Scotland continued to battle on in the soaring heat but it was Rwanda who coped better under pressure to take the final set 15-10.
Speaking after the heart-breaking loss, the duo commented: “Right now, it is hard to take that loss. We fought so hard and gave ourselves a really good chance of winning it. We have so much to be proud of though, we have exceeded our expectations we set at the start of the tournament and being part of the larger team has been an experience neither of us will forget. We will continue to work hard and develop our game, this is just the start for us.”
Tennis: Hamish Stewart continued his fantastic run in the Men’s Singles with a 7-6 7-5 win over India’s Siddhant Banthia to book his place in the final. The first set was a well matched affair with neither player faltering on their service game. The score stayed with serve all the way to 6-6, forcing a tie-break. While the play had been nip and tuck up to this point, Hamish came out fighting and quickly built a commanding lead, which he never relinquished.
Though the second set was just as closely matched, play went against serve for the first six games. Back on serve, the score reached five games all before Hamish again held his serve to go 6-5 and played a superb final game to clinch victory. He plays James Story of Wales for the gold medal tomorrow morning,
Athletics: Up first on the track for Team Scotland were 200m runners Lauren Greig and Fraser Angus, aiming for a place in their respective finals, having progressed from heats to semi-finals yesterday. Fraser produced a storming run from lane one to book his place in tomorrow’s final, 4th in his heat in a time of 22.09. Unfortunately Lauren was unable to join him, finishing 7th in her semi-final.
The searing heat and humidity inside the stadium made conditions difficult as the athletes lined up for the 3000m finals. Going with the early pace but unable to hold on to the leaders in the final stages, Adam Scot took 5th place with 9.04.61 while Naomi Lang, again competitive in the opening laps faded to 10th in 10.11.34.
Rounding off the night was 1500m gold medallist Erin Wallace, this time lining up in the 800m final. Sitting at the back of the pack for the first lap, she surged down the back straight in a bid for a second medal. In a valiant effort after a hard three days of racing, she finished 6th in 2.08.30.
Rhona Callander claimed Scotland’s first ever Youth Games Cycling gold medal as she powered away from the pack in the final sprint to win the Road Race on the final day of Bahamas 2017.
An early break by two riders was quickly covered by the main pack and from there Rhona rode a great tactical race, looking in control of proceedings at all times.
As the finish approached, several riders were still in contention and the medal positions came down to a last dash for the line. Rhona put in a stunning final surge, to win in a time of 1.57.15, punching the air as she crossed the line just clear of the chasing pack.
“It was just brilliant,” she said. “I was a bit nervous coming into the finish because I’ve never really done a sprint finish and I’ve definitely never won one before! I didn’t know the other girls too well so I didn’t know what to expect, especially after the time trial because some of them were a lot faster than me. It was just amazing to win the race.
“I’d love to go to a senior Commonwealth Games one day, Gold Coast seems a bit close for me, but perhaps the next one.”
In the men’s race Dylan Hughes and Stephen Dent were looking to add to the medal tally, but found themselves adrift of the leaders in the oppressive late morning heat. Stephen stayed with the main pack to finish 11th but Dylan was forced to withdraw on the last lap of the race.
Before these Games began Scotland had never taken a Cycling medal at any Youth Games, Grant Ferguson coming closest in 2011 with a 5th place finish in the Criterium. With Dylan Hughes taking silver in Wednesday’s Time Trial, this has been a truly historic Youth Games for Scottish Cycling.
On the final day of Bahamas 2017 competition, Hamish Stewart secured a first ever Youth Games Tennis gold medal for Team Scotland with a thrilling victory in the final of the Boys’ Singles event.
After a fantastic run through the competition, Hamish faced James Story of Wales in the gold medal match, in front of a full house at the Bahamas National Tennis Centre. Showing no signs of fatigue from his tough semi-final match the day before, it was Hamish who took the first set 6-4, displaying determination and grit when it proved crucial.
With the first set in the bag, Hamish got off to a fantastic start in the second, instantly breaking his opponent’s serve in the opening game. The Scot showed incredible character to hold serve for the remainder of the second set. As temperatures soared on Centre Court, Hamish remained focused and ensured there was no mental lapse on his way to securing the game, set, match and gold medal with a 6-4 second set.
Speaking after his match, he said: “That was the greatest way to end such a good week. It has been a long week and the body is sore, but to be travelling home tonight with the gold medal feels great. I would like to thank my family for their support all week and also say a massive thank you to everyone in Team Scotland for the support, this has been a brilliant experience.”
Gold for Hamish at Bahamas 2017 is a second successive medal for Scotland in the Boys’ Singles event, following silver for Ewen Lumsden at the 2015 Youth Games in Samoa.
There was no let-up in action at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games as Team Scotland continued to impress at across the venues on day four.
Boxing: Scotland are guaranteed five Boxing medals as Taylor Hamilton, Sam Hickey and Lewis Johnstone won their quarter-final bouts on a busy day in the ring, to join Megan Gordon and Tyler Jolly in tomorrow’s semi-finals.
Taylor Hamilton, boxing at 52kg, went to work late in the first round and never looked back on his way to beating Australia’s Tully Scanlon while Sam Hickey faced a tough bout with Canada’s Hunter Lee in the 69kg weight category and was crowned winner by split decision.
Team Scotland flag bearer for the Games, Lewis Johnstone, put on a dominant first performance as he booked himself a semi-final spot to guarantee himself a medal finish at the. Speaking after the fight, he said: “That was a really tough fight so I am glad to have come through it. It was absolutely amazing to walk out representing the whole team and hearing the crowd behind me really got me fired up. I can’t wait to get out there again tomorrow.”
Beach Volleyball: Having impressed massively in their Youth Games debut, Scotland’s Beach Volleyball pair, Emma Waldie and Jennifer Lee, put up an incredible fight against favourites New Zealand, just missing out on a deciding set with a 21-5 20-22 loss. They now face Rwanda in a fight for the bronze when the medal matches take place tomorrow.
Tennis: Hamish Stewart and Alexandra Hunter were both out on court in the Singles event. Stewart came through a tricky match with Namibia’s Codie Van Schalkwyk on his way to a 6-2, 6-4 straight-sets win. Having put out the third seed in yesterday’s second round, Alexandra Hunter again played well in a close match with England’s Indianna Spink but was unable to progress, losing 5-7 4-6.
The duo then paired up once more for their second-round Mixed Doubles match against Cyprus where they fought hard throughout in an intense match. Having lost the first set, an inspired end to the second set almost forced a decider but unfortunately Cyprus were able to find the extra energy needed to progress 3-6 4-6.
Athletics: Team Scotland contested only one final, the men’s long jump, on the second day of action at the Thomas Robinson National Stadium, but were out in force as Alesaandro Schenini and Calum Henderson took to the runway. Aleasandro put in a competitive performance to finish 4th with a distance of 6.87m, with all three medallists jumping in excess of his lifetime best. There was disappointment however for Calum, as run up trouble saw him exit the competition with three fouls.
Fresh from victory in the 1500m last night, Erin Wallace was back in the track, qualifying comfortably for the 800m final in a time of 2 minutes 10.52.
Also in action were Lauren Greig and Fraser Angus, who both qualified comfortably for tomorrow’s semi-finals. Lauren claimed an automatic qualifying place finishing third in her heat, while Fraser raced to a new outdoor personal best of 21.84 and a fastest loser spot in 4th. Sprint hurdler Bethany McAndrew was just one tenth of a second outside her personal best as she finished 6th in her heat. Unfortunately it was not enough to advance to the final, in a highly competitive field.
Scott McLay added to his incredible Commonwealth Youth Games medal haul as he teamed up with Emma Harvey, Anna Fleming and Luke Robins to take bronze in the 4x100m Mixed Freestyle Relay.
With most teams front loading their race by leading off with their two male swimmers, Scotland adopted different tactics, with Scott McLay leading the team out on the opening leg, followed by Emma Harvey and Anna Fleming, with Luke Robins given the task of brining the team home on the final leg.
Going into the final leg Scotland were some six seconds down on the New Zealand team in the battle for places. Screamed on by his team mates, Luke put in a superb 50.4 second leg, charging back at New Zealand in the final stages, to clinch bronze in a thrilling finish.
The relay medal takes Scott’s tally to four; two gold, a sliver and a bronze, and with swims in tomorrow’s 50m Freestyle and 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay, he may yet add more silverware. He could also surpass Craig Benson’s record as Scotland’s most successful Youth Games athlete of all time, which currently stands at three gold and one silver medal from the 2011 Youth Games in Isle of Man.
The Mixed Relay bronze was a second Youth Games medal for Emma Harvey, adding to her bronze in the 50m Butterfly on the opening day.
In the Women’s 400m Freestyle Sophie Smith took 5th place, just ahead of Roisin Ramsey in 7th while Isabel Jones and Anna Fleming took 6th and 7th respectively in the 100m Butterfly. Tom Beeley couldn’t be separated from Charles Cox of Australia as the pair dead heated for 5th place in the Men’s 100m Butterfly.
Around the venues on day two of the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games:
Boxing: Scotland’s boxers returned to the ring on day three of the Commonwealth Youth Games and, after disappointment on the first day of fighting, Scotland were hungry for success.
Tyler Jolly got the day underway for Team Scotland when he won by unanimous decision against Canada. Speaking after a fierce bout, he said: “That was good, it was my first fight since May in the British so it was good to get the rust off. It’s a good feeling knowing that I have reached the semi-final but obviously I have tunnel vision on the gold.”
Megan Gordon had made history before even entering the ring as Scotland’s first ever female boxer to represent Team Scotland at a Commonwealth Games event. She started well in an intense bout with the Cayman Islands. With fierce blows being exchanged throughout the fight, Megan found a new level of strength in the final round to take the win by unanimous decision.
Speaking after the bout, she commented: “It feels so good to have got that win, I already can’t wait to get on to the next round. I am so chuffed to make it through to the next round and to have guaranteed myself a medal. I haven’t had a chance to see my opponent for the next round but I will be going in with a give-it-my-all mentality.”
Ryan Reekie was Scotland’s third and final boxer to take to the ring but narrowly missed out on making it a full-house of wins after a split decision.
Team Scotland will return to the ring once more tomorrow and there is sure to be a big crowd out to support flagbearer Lewis Johnstone who fights in the evening. Before Johnstone’s debut, his team mates Sam Hickey and Taylor Hamilton will take centre-stage.
Beach Volleyball: Emma Waldie and Jennifer Lee kept up their impressive level of performance as they faced a tough quarter-final match against the event hosts, the Bahamas.
Scotland, who had already beaten Vanuatu and Jamaica, looked right at home as the rain poured down throughout the first set, which they took 21-5. The second set was slightly closer, with the Bahamas switching up their serving strategy to cause Scotland some problems. After taking a brief time-out to discuss a change in game-plan, Scotland rallied on to take the second set 21-14.
With yet another straight-sets victory, Scotland’s girls will now challenge for medals. Standing in their way will be one of the tournament’s favourites, New Zealand.
Speaking after their win, Emma said: “That was amazing, coming in to this game we definitely did not expect to win so convincingly. That is the best performance we have had out here in the Bahamas and if we can perform like that again tomorrow then the only way is up for us.”
Jennifer added: “That is consecutive straight set wins for us now, this is a huge confidence boost for us. New Zealand will be our toughest match yet but we are both really looking forward to it.”
Tennis: Over at the Tennis it was a day of frustration, with multiple delays to play due to adverse weather, including rain and thunder storms. Scotland’s players however continued to shine in the Singles events with both Hamish Stewart and Alexandra Hunter progressing to the quarter-finals.
Hamish, who has arrived in the Bahamas on the back of Junior Wimbledon, eased through to the next round with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Norfolk Island. Speaking after an impressive match, he said: “It went well out there, it was a pretty solid performance. I know that the next game is going to be a harder match but I am looking forward to it and think I have a good chance in that one as well.”
Alexandra, playing the third seed Patricia Apisah of Papua New Guinea, took a tight 7-6 first set win, and then really found her stride to run away with the second set 6-0.
Both players were able to take a break before the mixed doubles event with thunder storms rolling in across the Island. When the weather allowed, Scotland wasted no time in securing their spot in the next round, again in action against the Papua New Guinea team and securing the win 6-1, 6-1.
After a red-hot opening night in the pool, Team Scotland’s swimmers were back in action at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games throughout Thursday, looking to build on their impressive medal haul.
Star of the previous night’s show, Perth’s Scott McLay impressed once more in the 100m Freestyle final, touching home first to take his third medal and second gold of the 2017 Youth Games. He clocked 50.46sec to beat Sri Lanka’s silver medallist Kyle Abeysinghe and bronze medallist Jonathan Tan of Singapore.
“I was pretty nervous for that race as it is my main event,” said Scott. “I was able to calm myself down on the block by going through my process goals and thankfully it was enough to get that gold medal.”
Scott has a well-deserved rest day tomorrow before returning to the pool for Saturday’s 50m Freestyle, where he will aim to add to his medal tally. Should he win gold, he would equal Craig Benson’s record of three gold and one silver from the Isle of Man 2011, and tie him for the title of Scotland’s most successful Youth Games athlete of all-time.
Sophie Smith became the second Team Scotland multiple medallist by taking bronze from the outside lane of the 100m Freestyle event. Sophie, who took a silver in the 200m event the previous day, was ecstatic as she exited the pool. “I came in to this one just hoping to make the final and this has completely exceeded all of my hopes and dreams for the Games,” she said. I have the 400 Freestyle tomorrow, which I would consider as my best event, so hopefully this is a sign of good things to come.”
Luke Robins swam well in the Men’s 100m Freestyle to reach his first final of the Games while Anna Fleming also reached the final of the Women’s event. Isabel Jones put in a great swim to take her place in the 50m Backstroke final but it was disappointment for Emma Harvey, who swam extremely well in the heats, only to exit the pool to a disqualification from the event officials. Scotland finished sixth place in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay to cap off another thrilling day at the pool.
There is livestream coverage of selected Youth Games events, including tomorrow’s swimming finals, available to all non-Caribbean countries on www.oz.com/cyg2017
Broadcasts include Swimming, Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Beach Soccer and Boxing, with the full schedule available at: https://www.oz.com/cyg2017/schedule
Team Scotland’s Athletics squad opened their Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games account in truly emphatic style as Erin Wallace timed her finish to perfection to win 1500m gold in the Thomas Robinson National Stadium.
On a night where competition was delayed nearly an hour due to thunder and lightning, Erin kept her cool to deliver an astute tactical performance in an evenly matched race. Staying back in the pack as athletes jostled for position early on, Erin covered all the breaks and, as the bell sounded for the final lap, moved away from the rest of the field at the back of a group of four battling it out for the medals.
The stands were packed with Team Scotland’s travelling support and they roared Erin home to victory as she sprinted away in the final stages to win in a time of 4 minutes 16.61, twelve hundredths ahead of Kenya’s Viola Chemutai in second.
“When I crossed the line first, I just couldn’t believe it,” said Erin, who won bronze at last year’s European Youth Championships in Georgia. “I was so shocked because after 800m the leaders were so far ahead and I thought I would never catch them, but with 300m to go I started to think I could probably do it. I never expected to win. I knew everyone’s times were really close and I was expecting a fast race and it was just going to be a question of who could hold on the longest.”
Flower of Scotland rang out round the stadium as Erin received Team Scotland’s fourth gold of the Games and a first Youth Games gold medal for Athletics since the 2011 Isle of Man Games where Tom Holligan took victory in the 200m.
Erin becomes the second Scottish women to win Youth Games gold in the 1500m, following in the footsteps of Morag McLarty who won in Bendigo in 2004.
“Standing on the top step of the podium and hearing everyone singing Flower of Scotland was just so special,” said Erin. “To have that support in the stadium was amazing and I’m looking forward to coming back tomorrow for the 800m.”
While Erin’s gold was the Scottish highlight of the evening, sprinters Maddy Silcock and Adam Clayton gave a good account of themselves in the Women’s and Men’s 100m respectively.
First competitor of the night for Team Scotland, Maddy was behind her blocks and waiting for the command to take her marks, when the competition was suddenly suspended due to the passing thunder storm. She remained composed and returned an hour later to post a time of 12.85 seconds and move comfortably into the semi-finals.
Adam Clayton was impressive in the Men’s event, clocking 10.93 seconds to win his heat to take his place in the semis, but unfortunately neither sprinter could progress on to the finals in loaded fields.
Adam Scott put himself in contention early in the Men’s 1500m, going with the leading group over the opening laps. Ultimately the early pace in hot, humid conditions began to take its toll and he faded to 9th place in a time of 4 minutes 01.60 in a race won by John Waweru of Kenya.
Olivia Varielle, daughter of former Kilmarnock footballer Jerome, was sixth in her 400m heat in a time of 57.22, missing out on a place in the final.
The Athletics action continues tomorrow with Erin Wallace back in action in the 800m, Calum Henderson and Alessandro Schenini in the long jump final, Bethany McAndrew in the 100m Hurdles and sprinters Lauren Greig and Fraser Angus in the heats of the 200m.
There is livestream coverage of selected Youth Games events, including tomorrow’s swimming finals, available to all non-Caribbean countries on www.oz.com/cyg2017
Broadcasts include Swimming, Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Beach Soccer and Boxing, with the full schedule available at: https://www.oz.com/cyg2017/schedule
Perth’s Scott McLay claimed Team Scotland’s second gold medal of the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games as he stormed to a win the Men’s 50m Butterfly on the opening night of the swimming competition. Under an hour later he was back on his marks, this time taking silver in the 100m Backstroke, to become Scotland’s first double medallist of the Games.
An extraordinary night in the pool was kicked off by Emma Harvey taking bronze, the team’s first swimming medal of the Games, in the opening event, the Women’s 50m Butterfly. She was followed closely home by her team mate Anna Fleming in 4th. It marked the start of a medal rush as, alongside Scott’s gold and silver, Sophie Smith added 200m Freestyle silver to the tally.
“It feels great I couldn’t be happier with it,” said Scott. “It’s about going through the processes in the pool and replicating what I’ve been doing in training so I’m glad it’s paying off and I’ve come away with those two medals.
“I didn’t actually see the time board after the finish of the 50m Fly, I just heard it announced by the commentator and I was thinking, ‘Really? Is it me that’s won it?’ It was fantastic to have the support of my team mates and all the people up in the stands, it really does spur you on.
“This has set me up really well for the rest of the competition, I just want to keep performing at my best and hopefully pick up a few more medals.”
Delighted to have claimed Team Scotland’s first swimming medal of the 2017 Youth Games, Emma Harvey said: It was such a great feeling touching the wall and hearing my name announced as third place, I was just ecstatic. All the support in the stands was just great, it definitely made a big difference. A crowd can really help you to swim faster, I think, so that was just fantastic.
“It’s such an experience to be part of Team Scotland, you could never replace this with anything else so I’m just excited to be here and having such a great time.”
Emma was back in action in the 100m Backstroke final, taking 6th place, with team mate Isabel Jones in 5th.
By taking silver in the 200m Freestyle, Arbroath swimmer Sophie Smith exceeded all her expectations. “It was absolutely amazing,” she said. I just couldn’t believe it. I came here aiming to get into a final, maybe a few, and just see what happened. I just couldn’t believe it, I was speechless.
“To see the Scottish flag up as well, it was incredible. It was a good start to the week because it’s given me a lot of confidence to go forward into the week. I was quite nervous coming here because it’s my first international event and I’ve never competed in an open air pool before, so it was good to get a good race under my belt. It’s amazing to represent our country and to have the kit on and travel with the team, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
The action continues in the pool tomorrow with seven swimmers in action across the Men’s and Women’s 50m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle.
There is livestream coverage of selected Youth Games events, including tomorrow’s swimming finals, available to all non-Caribbean countries on www.oz.com/cyg2017
Broadcasts include Swimming, Athletics, Beach Volleyball, Beach Soccer and Boxing, with the full schedule available at: https://www.oz.com/cyg2017/schedule
It was a mammoth day of sport for Team Scotland on day two of the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games and with temperatures reaching 34 degrees on the island, the sporting action was not the only thing heating up.
Around the venues on day two:
Beach Volleyball: Fresh off the back of an opening win against Vanuatu, Scotland’s Beach Volleyball duo of Emma Waldie and Jennifer Lee were full of confidence entering their second match of the tournament against Jamaica.
The confidence was clear from the get go as Scotland raced out of the blocks to take the first set, 21-13. There was no letting up for the dynamic duo as they continued to work hard in the second set. A convincing second set saw Scotland breeze through to the next round where they will be seeded first. The team, who won the second set 21-12, will now go on to play the Bahamas in the quarter-finals.
Tennis: The Tennis tournament got underway in the blistering heat and given the extreme conditions, Team Scotland’s Alexandra Hunter wasted no time in securing a straight sets win over Natasha Forrest from Jersey (6-3, 6-0.)
Boxing: It was a disappointing start to the Boxing tournament for Team Scotland with John Casey in the 49kg category and Faraz Ahmed at 56kg both facing defeat in their respective opening rounds.
Speaking after his fight, John Casey commented: “Obviously I was gutted with the outcome, I really thought I had it in the bag but these things happen. You come out to competitions like this to fight the best people you can, that is what it is all about. I had a really tough draw with having to face the European Champion in the first round. Regardless of the results, this event has been such a buzz and the atmosphere was amazing. I’m looking forward to cheering on my team-mates for the rest of the Games.”
Day three will see Athletics begin competition while the Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Swimming and Tennis continue.