MELBOURNE 2006 – REVIEW ISSUE 6: SUMMER 2006 A huge welcome for ’s Commonwealth Games heroes

The real impact of the team’s record breaking performance at the XVIII Commonwealth Games in was only really felt as the team touched down at Airport on Wednesday 29 March. Each and every team member was welcomed at the bottom of the aircraft steps onto the tarmac by Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell. The medallists were then dazzled by a gallery of photographers in the arrivals hall, before being embraced by family and friends proudly waving the saltire that had been so prominent over the 11 days of spectacular competition in Melbourne. With a piper leading the way, it was then on to a press conference to share the elation with the Scottish media.

Top athlete of the Games with 2 gold and via the airline’s home base 2 bronze medals, swimmer Gregor Tait in Dubai. As ‘Offi cial Airline was overwhelmed with the reception: “I’ve and Team Sponsor’ of the always hoped that people would talk about Scottish Commonwealth us inspiring the nation, but I never actually Games Team, Emirates was Back on Scottish soil thought it would happen. I’m just so responsible for transporting proud to be Scottish, it is just an amazing the entire squad of 245, “We are absolutely delighted with how feeling. It’s been a huge honour to be part including 169 athletes and 76 offi cials to the whole team performed and winning of this fantastic team and to have done so and from the Games. 29 medals is a major achievement, our well is unbelievable.” best yet. The support we received through In the months prior to departure, Emirates Emirates’ sponsorship of the team has Returning with 11 gold, 7 silver and 11 worked closely with team management proved hugely benefi cial and we are bronze, a total of 29 medals, placing to ensure that they were well prepared to extremely grateful to them.” sixth on the medal table, the 2006 deal with such a large number of athletes, team is Scotland’s most successful so as to give them the best possible start Vic Sheppard, Emirates Vice President for team in Commonwealth Games history. for when they arrived in Melbourne. the UK and Ireland said: “Coming sixth in Acknowledging the performance Team Louise Martin CBE, Chairman of the the medal table is a fantastic effort and Chef de Mission, Paul Bush said: “This Commonwealth Games for Scotland, said: we are thrilled for all those involved. is a very proud day for Scottish sport and “Sponsoring the team shows just what can be was a great opportunity achieved if we all pull for Emirates and we together. It has been are happy that some of a great privilege to our own award winning lead such a committed success has rubbed group of athletes and off on the team. Our staff and I believe congratulations go out what set us apart was to the whole squad and the tremendous team indeed the whole of spirit.” Scotland.”

The team returned home with Emirates, following their fl ight Sharing the moment

THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES COUNCIL FOR SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER Simply the best Celebrations

The Games are now but a memory, but what a continue fantastic memory! I said that Melbourne would put on a fantastic show It wasn’t long before the team were back and they did just that together again to refl ect on their success – outshining local rivals and relive the excitement of the Games. and moving the Double gold for Bravehearts experience up a notch. First Minister Jack McConnell hosted a reception for the team at Stirling Castle and improved Scotland’s international In the words of Mike Fennell, President on 12 April to honour their outstanding reputation. They deserve every accolade of the Commonwealth Games Federation performances on the world stage. Team they receive for their performances. (CGF), these Games were “simply the members were also presented with a best”. silver thistle pin from the Commonwealth “This is also an ideal opportunity to pay Games Council for Scotland in tribute to the many team coaches and Whilst Melbourne was working hard to recognition of their participation in the offi cials who have worked so hard over put on the Games, we were preparing 2006 Games. the years to make Scotland’s athletes our team back home. It has taken over the success they are. They have all four years of dedicated hard work by the Paying tribute to their success Mr been tremendous. As Glasgow’s bid to athletes, coaches, Games Council and McConnell said: “Scotland’s athletes stage the support agencies, with tough selection have been absolutely outstanding. gains momentum the most impressive standards in place, to ensure the best Their determination and team spirit performance in our history can only work team possible went to . has inspired the whole of Scotland in Scotland’s favour.”

Once the Games started we could see Pics Daily Record Group plc the results. Two golds back to back in the pool, beating the Aussies in their own backyard, set the tone. As each day went by, the medal tally mounted and it was only on the last day that we were knocked from 5th on the medal table fi nishing with a fantastic 29 medals including 11 gold.

In my role as secretary of the CGF I was so proud to hear everyone talking about how well Scotland was doing, particularly in the pool and it was a great personal pleasure to present medals to Gregor Tait, Chris Baillie and Susan Hughes.

There were many contributing factors to our success and we must ensure we build on these for the future. As well as our committed athletes and staff, Sir Tom Hunter, Chairman of the Hunter considerable thanks must go to the array Swimmers scoop top Foundation also praised the team. He of agencies, sponsors and supporters said: “Scotland’s Commonwealth Games who helped make our participation in the honours at Daily Record Team is an inspiration for everyone in the Games such a success. nation. They are all amazing role models awards dinner for the next crop of young Scottish For Scotland, Melbourne was also a talent.” catalyst for things to come and certainly Recognition for the Commonwealth whetted the appetite to bring this unique But it was the swimmers who were the Games team’s performance continued sporting occasion to Scotland. We worked stars of the show. Not only did they win with an invitation to attend the Daily hard to promote our 2014 Glasgow the ‘Sporting Heroes’ category they Record’s ‘Our Heroes’ awards dinner. At Games bid to the other Commonwealth went on to scoop the overall ‘Our Heroes’ the star studded event in April, the team countries and our presentation to the award for their stunning performance CGF General Assembly was well received, won the ‘Inspirational Heroes’ category winning 12 medals in the pool. however we still have a long way to go. sponsored by the Hunter Foundation. The next year will be extremely busy but Gregor Tait, who collected the awards what a platform to build on. Commenting on the award on behalf on behalf of the swimmers said: “It’s a of the team, gold medal winning boxer, huge honour to win these awards and it’s Congratulations again to all the athletes Kenny Anderson said: “These awards awesome to think that there is so much involved. are a tremendous idea and we were all support for us out there. Now that we surprised to be given one. It was great have had time to let the games’ success to be up on stage being recognised as sink in, it’s hard to believe. part of a Scotland team that did so well in such a huge event. I hope that young Louise Martin, CGCS Chairman “The entire team worked hard and now kids watching our efforts would have we are going to try and build on that been inspired by them and realise you success.” can achieve anything if you want it badly 2 enough.” Melbourne – a Games to remember

Paul Bush CHEF DE MISSION

When we started off on the 2006 McClatchey and both won mentality’ so vital for success. There are Commonwealth Games campaign I gold in the fi rst two races of the meet. also many other organisations who have think we were all a little daunted by I will never forget how stunned the seconded staff to support the Games the challenge that lay ahead. How Australian crowd was that night! It didn’t effort. would we follow on from the wonderful stop there the swimmers went on to win performance in Manchester where the an incredible 12 medals in the pool. At the political level we have enjoyed team won 30 medals, including 10 from support from the very top. The First Judo, a sport not in the 2006 Games? After 11 days of intense competition 30 Minister Jack McConnell and Sports And how we would fare against the Scottish athletes walked away with a Minister Patricia Ferguson gave us their Aussies in their own back yard, out of total of 29 medals, across nine sports, unstinting support, both in the build up season for many of our sports? including 11 gold - our highest gold to the Games and cheering on the team medal tally ever with four double gold in person in Melbourne. We look forward But with careful planning and preparation medallists. A further six athletes fi nished and the tightening of selection standards in fourth place resulting in more than to top eight in the Commonwealth, 21% of the team fi nishing in the top four the CGCS were able to select arguably and 72% of the team fi nishing in top Scotland’s strongest team ever in terms eight. of strength in depth, with the team of 169 athletes including 20 Commonwealth I would like to sincerely congratulate medallists from previous Games. all the athletes for their outstanding performances in Melbourne, for their With the majority of the team leaving commitment to the team as a whole and for Australia on 28th February the plan for their exemplary behavior. was to ensure a suffi cient period of acclimatisation and enjoy warm weather Scotland certainly made its presence training conditions, as well as encourage felt at these Games and was the talk Bush meets Blair team building across sports. The of the town - particularly in the pool. excellent holding camp set up at La Trobe We were the fi rst port of call for the to their ongoing commitment which will University in proved to be the many dignitaries that visited the Village be needed to move the team on to yet ideal base for many of our sports, whilst including the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. another level and to prepare for what we others enjoyed excellent training in and very much hope will be a home Games in around Melbourne. This impressive total clearly surpassed all Glasgow in 2014. our expectations, and is testament to the The earliest possible entry into the fabulous team spirit and the inspiration To our all our sponsors in particular Games Village by the General Team people drew from the many medals won and Emirates Airlines a Management also ensured that by the in the fi rst few days. I would also like to big thank you, their commitment to the time the competition started we were thank all the sports specifi c and generic team has been second to none and we fully operational and raring to go. There support staff who did an outstanding look forward to continuing our positive was just an amazing buzz about the job in creating the ideal environment for relationships. team as we marched into the Opening our athletes to perform to their best. I Ceremony at the magnifi cent MCG in am delighted that we have delivered on Thanks must also go to Melbourne our kilts, behind fl ag bearer Ian Marsden our objective of being the best prepared who put on such a great show and in competing in his fi fth Games. team ever. particular the wonderful Melburnians who were our volunteers. And that buzz simply erupted after However all this would not have been the fi rst day in the pool when Caitlin possible without the tremendous cross Winning 29 medals, 11 gold, 7 silver and agency support, from sportscotland 11 bronze to fi nish sixth on the medal in terms of funding and support from Opening ceremony fi reworks table was a huge achievement and the key personnel. Likewise the Scottish 2006 team can rightly lay claim to the Institute of Sport which has worked with title of Scotland’s most successful Team the majority of our team over the last in Commonwealth Games history – well at few years to provide fi rst class support least until next time! services and engender that ‘winning

We hope you enjoy reading about what is just a small selection of Scotland’s highlights! 3 DAY 4 Aquatics 1 GOLD, 1 SILVER The pool where dreams came true The smile of sweet success The fi rst ever one, two on the podium for Scotland in the 400m Individual Medley. David Carry wins The Melbourne Sports & Aquatics Brave rings out for the second time in his second gold of the Games in a new Centre was the magnifi cent backdrop succession, only this time for ’s Games record beating Loughborough for the historic performance that David Carry in the 400m Freestyle. team mate Euan Dale into second place. unfolded in the pool. Following an Gregor Tait gets in on the amazing double gold triumph on the First to keep the medals action, winning rolling in is Kirsty Balfour. fi rst night from Caitlin McClatchey swimming gold and David Carry, the swimmers DAY 3 In another confi dent DAY 5 number three in the performance she takes RONZE grew in confi dence to take on the 1 GOLD, 2 SILVER 2 GOLD, 2 B 200m Backstroke. bronze in the 100m Aussie’s in their home pool. Meanwhile Breaststroke in a new British record. ’ Kirsty Balfour takes Winning 12 medals, 6 gold, on Aussie super star Leisel Gregor has a busy night in the pool fi rst 3 silver and 3 bronze, Jones and sits tight for silver taking bronze in the 100m Backstroke swimming is now Scotland’s in the 200m Breaststroke before returning in the pool to make most successful sport in setting her second British Caitlin starts the Gold rush his international debut in the 200m Commonwealth Games record of the day. Individual Medley. Up against Carry and history. A superb overall team effort Dale of 400m IM acclaim, Tait goes on to with 11 swimmers winning medals, their The fi nale of the win his second gold of the meet. success was built on the performances of night is David their three double gold medallists, Caitlin Carry, Euan Dale, Caitlin McClatchey was not to be McClatchey, David Carry and Gregor Tait. Andy Hunter outdone though in the gold stakes. She With a further two bronze medals to his and Robbie was shaking as she took to the blocks tally Gregor was the Scottish swimmer of Renwick all with the burden of expectation for her the meet and the top Scot of the Games. going under 1:49 favoured 400m Freestyle event. Up until to take silver the fi nal 100m it was anyone’s race but Caitlin McClatchey win’s in the 4x200m Caitlin makes a break up the fi nal 50m DAY 1 Scotland’s fi rst medal of Freestyle Relay. and wins her second Commonwealth gold 2 GOLD the Games taking gold in medal. her less favoured 200m Freestyle. She sets a new British and It was the last night of Commonwealth Games swimming action Games record in the in the pool and the DAY 6 process, the fourth Scots were keen to add 1 BRONZE fastest swim of all to their record medal time in this event. haul of 11. It looked like being a night of near misses until the fi nal event, when Less than ten Gregor Tait, Kris Gilchrist, Todd Cooper minutes later the and Craig Houston squeezed out the Aussie crowd sits Canadians to take bronze in the 4x100m in stunned silence Medley Relay. as Scotland the

Balfour powers onto the podium

4 Everyone’s a winner! ATHLETICS

he iconic MCG home of cricket and Aussie rules in was also the T venue for the athletics competition, following major redevelopment work to incorporate a state of the art athletics track.

The Scots had a mixed competition in terms of success but fi nished with two medals to contribute to the team’s impressive tally. Chris Baillie was in the DAY 6 Breaking new barriers form of his life and took 1 SILVER a well earned silver in the 110m Hurdles on Day 6 of In a packed stadium, the atmosphere was the Games. It was a particularly poignant electric as McConnell ran a personal best day for Chris, who had made it through to of 55.25. The Australian icon came home the fi nal as the second fastest qualifi er, in 53.82 to take gold; whilst GB team smashing the 6-year-old Scottish record mate Natasha Danvers-Smith of set by his late brother Ross. got silver in 55.17.

On Day 8, the big race of the night saw McConnell was delighted to come away Lee McConnell run with a medal and feels she now has a against home favourite good platform in the event to build on. in the 400m Hurdles and For Susan Scott it was a sense of deja take the bronze vu on Day 9 as the 28-year-old lined up medal, vindicating in the 800m fi nal against a truly world her decision to class fi eld which included switch from the from Mozambique. Despite a strong 400m fl at. performance she narrowly missed out on a medal fi nishing 4th, but setting a new Scottish record in the process 1:59.02. Scott hadn’t broken the two adminton had to wait until the DAY 8 minute barrier since her 4th place at the second last day of the Games to 1 BRONZE Commonwealth Games in Manchester. B reap their rewards in the Women’s Singles event when Glasgow’s Susan Hughes pinched bronze in a dramatic B three set decider against Elizabeth

Cann from . asketball was the only new addition to the Games programme A in 2006 and the Scottish men’s basketball team were S Hughes made a decisive start and B excited about the prospect of making their Games debut quickly gained the advantage to take in Melbourne. Playing in Pool A they were up against K Australia, Nigeria and . the fi rst set 21-5. But Cann battled E hard in the second set to redress the balance as Hughes made too many Getting underway on Day 2 the Scots soon discovered T unforced errors which allowed her fi rst hand why host nation Australia was one of the B opponent back in the match. competition favourites, when they went down 52-129 in their opening match. A

Forced to a tense third set decider, L A better performance against India gave them their 23-year-old Hughes replicated the L fi rst set taking an early lead, but her fi rst victory of the tournament 67-57. But in their advantage was short lived as both fi nal pool game, Scotland saw their chance of a players levelled their scores at seven semi fi nal place snatched away in a tight all. contest against Nigeria, which saw the lead change over nine times during the It was a game of changing fortunes game eventually fi nishing 83-91. as both players took turns to lead, drawing level again at 16-all, 17-all and The defeat put Scotland in the playoffs for 5-8th then 19-all to take it down to the wire. place. First off they faced South Africa and quickly chalked up their second victory of the competition 91-79, before But it was Hughes taking on Barbados to decide 5th and 6th places. An ankle that stepped up to injury to guard Laurie Costello just three minutes into the the mark when the DAY 11 match seemed to seal their fate and Scotland lost 63-73 to pressure was on and 1 BRONZE take sixth place, but with a positive experience to build on for the claimed a nail-biting future. win 21-19and the bronze medal. 5

here was nearly as much excitement and emotion at the velodrome T as there was at the pool, forcing supporters, team offi cials and journalists to rush between the two venues determined to catch all of the action. Team Sprint gold

Day 1 brought huge progressed steadily through

HOCKEY the rounds, to reach the his was the fi rst time disappointment for Olympic DAY 3 DAY 1 fi nal where he faced the that Scotland’s men Champion , out to 1 BRONZE formidable challenge of 1 SILVER T had qualifi ed for the defend his title in the Kilo. reigning Olympic and Commonwealth Games and He had to settle for bronze Commonwealth champion . they found themselves in when local boy drew on home Edgar almost took the fi rst race in a nail- a tough group up against advantage to take gold, Jason Quelly from biting fi nish but it was not to be and he Australia, , England took silver and Chris pushed had to settle for silver. England and . fellow Scot Craig MacLean into fourth. As the week progressed, the weight of After three successive A further two bronze medals expectation was building on Chris, Craig defeats, they beat Canada were added to the cycling and Ross, determined to make up for 2-0 and went on to secure 7th place after DAY 2 tally on Day 2 starting with earlier disappointments. Up against ‘the beating an impressive South African side 2 BRONZE 28-year-old Kate Cullen from auld enemy’ in the Team Sprint fi nal, the 2-1, to fi nish two places above their ranking Edinburgh who clinched Scots pulled off the ride of the year to going into the tournament. bronze in the 25km Points Race. Cullen, who had only ridden in four international edge into gold medal position and post the second fastest time ever Both Niall Stott and Mike Leonard points races prior to her by a British team. For celebrated their 100th cap on the opening Games debut, pedalled , these Games match of the Games, for Mike as captain, her way into sporting exceeded all expectations, a feat never achieved before by a Scottish history as the fi rst returning home with a full hockey player. Scottish female to win a medal on the track. set of medals. Scotland’s women were also in a diffi cult Just when group and after losing their opening Ross Edgar, the quiet man DAY 4 the Scottish two matches against New Zealand and of the team, also won ONZE supporters 1 GOLD, 1 BR England they went on to beat Canada 2-1 bronze for Scotland in the thought it was and Barbados 8-0. They wound up their , despite crossing all over, 26-year-old James McCallum from Commonwealth Games of 2006 with a the line in fourth place. The 23-year-old Edinburgh produced a welcome bronze in comfortable 3-0 win over to fi nish found himself elevated to the podium the Men’s Scratch Race, in what was only in fi fth place overall one place higher than following fi rst place fi nisher Ben Kersten his third major event. It was an extremely their ranking. was disqualifi ed for dangerous riding on the last lap. This was to be the fi rst of proud McCallum that took to the rostrum. three medals for the talented Edgar. That concluded the magnifi cent cycling competition which saw Scotland win a cotland’s No.1 John White record six medals: 1 gold, 1 silver and was in fi ne form and Edgar was back in action on Day 3, 4 bronze. S progressed steadily through this time in the Individual Sprint. He the opening rounds to reach the quarter fi nal. Up against home crowd favourite Andrew Palmer ll of Scotland’s boxers were up for the challenge and determined to go (AUS) on centre court, the top home with a medal, but it was Edinburgh’s Kenny Anderson who was Scot won the fi rst game 2 – 9, A the last Scot standing in the ring. but sadly lost momentum as the match progressed, conceding Anderson took on Adura Olalehin from Nigeria in the fi nal, to battle it out 10 – 8 in the next. The number one seed for the Light Heavyweight crown. The clash to determine the gold or silver Palmer went on to take full advantage of medal was settled in what often resembled more of a wrestling match than the remainder of the match, taking the last a boxing fi nal as the Nigerian tried to frustrate the powerful Scot. two games 9 – 6, 9 – 0. Initially it was the Nigerian who held the upper hand in the bout going 8-3 up in the opening round. Still down 13-7 after the second, the referee fi nally intervened to penalise the Nigerian who was holding.

The Scot then started to make his mark, landing a fl urry of points in the fi nal round to pass his opponent and take the fi ght by 23 points to 19, and with it the 12th and fi nal gold of the Games for Scotland. DAY 11 6 1 GOLD SHOOTING

he magnifi cent he Scots took to the ranges at Port was packed to the rafters as the Melbourne on the third day of the T gymnastics competition got underway T Games and clinched both a gold and with the team events. Scotland’s men silver medal in the 50m Rifl e Prone Pairs put in a very credible performance to events. fi nish fourth overall. Adam Cox and Daniel Keatings qualifi ed for the individual all Martin Sinclair, partnered DAY3 Jennifer Hannah around competition, whilst Adam Cox, by Neil Stirton, put in a 1 GOLD 1 SILVER and Andrew Mackie qualifi ed until she was edged into 4th sterling performance and for apparatus fi nals on parallel bars, place by the fi nal competitor. took the fi rst shooting medal of the Games, horizontal bar, rings and pommel. with Sinclair setting a new Scottish record Having already performed his in the process. The women’s team also produced a solid routine twice on parallel bars performance in the team event to fi nish that evening fi fth. In what was a superb effort from a Neil Stirton and Martin Sinclair due to faulty relatively inexperienced team, Rosalie apparatus, Hutton, Carol Galashan and Emma DAY 6 Livingston’s White all qualifi ed for the individual 1 BRONZE Adam Cox all around competition, whilst Emma took to the High Bar White, Jennifer Hannah, Rosalie his preferred discipline. For Hutton and Helen Galashan qualifi ed Cox it came down to the last for apparatus fi nals. performance of the night having been narrowly edged out of silver The highlight of the competition medal position by the second last came on Day 6, but it was a tense competitor ’ David Eaton with evening for Scottish supporters. of Canada still to come and capable of medalling. On the Floor it was so near and yet so Fortunately for Adam, the far for 14-year-old Jennifer Hannah, score he posted early in the the youngest member of the Scottish The women’s event followed, with Sheena competition was suffi cient Team, coming agonisingly close to a Sharp and Susan Jackson going one better to hang onto third place and medal. First up in the discipline she than their silver in 2002 and were thrilled secure a bronze medal. set a target of 13.775 which to win gold. Jackson has now medalled in was good enough for bronze Adam Cox three consecutive Games, boasting medals of all three colours.

Not satisfi ed with one gold, Sheena Sharp from DAY 7 Huntly, proved she was 1 GOLD still on target when she LAWN took her second gold in the 50m Rifl e Prone Individual event four cotland’s tradition of success in lawn days later. In a close contest she fi nished bowls continued in Melbourne in both just one point ahead of Juliet Etherington S the Men’s and Women’s Pairs. of New Zealand who won silver, and two points ahead of Johanne Brekke for Wales, Defending Commonwealth champion Alex who claimed bronze. Sheena fi nished Marshall with his new partner the Games as one of four double gold progressed steadily through the early medallists. rounds to reach the fi nal unbeaten. Bowled over with success DAY 7 Partner Susan Jackson in the pairs event Up against fi nished just outside the medals, in 4th to win it a convincing 12-2 1 GOLD, 1 SILVER England to and force a tiebreaker. place. decide gold Despite being on the back Sheena Sharp and Susan Jackson and silver, foot, Marshall and Foster held their nerve Scotland rallying strongly to win the tiebreaker in won the two ends and take the gold for Scotland. fi rst set 11-6. Just one of many uninvited guests! However play Joyce Lindores and also made was unusually interrupted for around 10 it to the fi nal in the Women’s Pairs. But minutes as spectators were treated to a strong Aussie pairing, with skip Karen the strange sight of staff having to try to Murphy in stunning form, put paid to clear the greens of a swarm of small black Joyce’s hopes of fi nishing her fi fth and beetles which had rained down on the fi nal Commonwealth Games with a second greens during the fi rst set. gold medal. Despite their best efforts the Scots lost 2-0 and had to settle for a well The second set saw England come back earned silver. 7 Tommy Yule espite an excellent pre- Games build-up, there was D disappointment for both Catriona Morrison and Kerry Lang in the Women’s Triathlon.

The Melbourne Triathlon was an event of contrasts for the Scots.

Commonwealth Games Lang got off to a strong start Council for Scotland in her favoured swimming Gannochy Sports Centre component, reaching the University of Stirling transition point in third place. Stirling FK9 4LA But a problem with the strap on her cycling helmet meant she Tel: +44 (0)1786 466480 dropped well down the fi eld. Fax: +44 (0)1786 466481

WEIGHTLIFTING For Morrison it was her slowest swim in Email: [email protected] ommy Yule secured www.cgcs.org.uk almost four years, leaving her too much Scotland’s 20th medal with ground to claw back, although she did T a bronze in the Men’s 94kg. manage to climb from 21st to 16th place in Tommy, who won a bronze in the Partners the run including passing friend and team snatch in the 2002 Games had mate Lang who fi nished in 18th spot. been returning to form and was keen to retain a place on the medal podium.

Tommy entered the snatch DAY 6 phase of the 1 BRONZE competition at Major supporters 146kg and took to the platform in confi dent mood. A successful lift at his fi rst attempt, he went on to lift 151kg to fi nish in second place.

In the Clean and Jerk Tommy had a Suppliers successful fi rst lift at 175kg but failed to improve on this.

His fate was then in the hands of Kiwi Grant Cavit who was the only person left in the competition who could deny him third spot. A back injury to Cavit forced him to withdraw and Yule’s higher combined score assured him a bronze medal behind an Kerry Lang and Catriona Morrison Australian one, two.

The fi nal tally! RUGBY 7s Gold Silver Bronze Total een to build on their fi rst Australia 84 69 68 221 Commonwealth Games experience England 36 40 34 110 K in Manchester, Scotland’s Rugby 7s Canada 26 29 31 86 team entered the Dome full of optimism. India 22 17 11 50 South Africa 12 13 13 38 They got off to a fl ying start against Scotland 11 7 11 29 winning 33-5, but in a physical encounter against Canada they fi nished a disappointing 10-7 down. All hopes of an Back the Bid upset against world champions Fiji failed to materialise and they went down 33-5.

Relegated to the Bowl competition they beat Namibia 26-12. However their Commonwealth Games experience came to an abrupt end after suffering a 12-5 loss to Tonga in the bowl semi-fi nal.

Photo credits: 8 Ideal Images, John Lindsay, Duncan McEwan, Daily Record