Composed Aussies overcome giant obstacle to make gold medal match

FOR years they were the best of rivals, fighting each other for Aussie supremacy.

But beach volleyballers Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann will be fighting alongside each other for Commonwealth glory today after blasting their way into the gold medal match.

McHugh and Schumann will play for the first Commonwealth Games beach volleyball gold medal after downing England pair Chris Gregory and Jake Sheaf in the semi-final at a boisterous Coolangatta stadium.

It was an impressive straights-sets 21-13, 21-16 win but it was much harder than anything the Aussies had encountered in their earlier matches.

The 210cm frame of Gregory proved a giant obstacle but the Australian duo were able to keep their composure during tense periods and finish off the English.

“We played pretty strong,” McHugh said. “We haven’t al- ways been on during this tournament but the crowd certainly got us up and Schumann couldn’t have played better.”

McHugh’s power-hitting saw him crack out a dozen clean winners but his presence at the net was crucial, too, with four blocks and several forced errors by England.

Schumann was characteristically everywhere, and his clever setting helped bypass the blocking threats of Gregory.

“It was great to move him around a bit after he got a few blocks on us,” Schumann said.

“We got a bit nervy when he got the blocks but we came up with some good play and we have to keep doing that tomorrow and whenever we play these big tournaments.”

The first set began with a tense back-and-forth, with neither team able to push away. Both used challenges to check line calls and the big men – McHugh and Gregory – were both making their massive presences felt at the net.

But the Aussies finally got into their rhythm and rattled off a string of points to push away.

The second set was also pretty tight, but the Austra- lians’ class and composure under pressure was superior and they pulled away late to win the match.

After many years playing against each other, McHugh, 28, and Schumann, 30, came together after the Rio Olympics due to injuries to their respective partners.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to play for gold tomorrow,” McHugh said.

“We are going to grab it with both hands and give it a good shake. Hopefully, we’ll come away with gold. If not, we get our best shot.”