Scots lose after nailbiting final seconds
The group stages of the netball are almost over and Scotland’s team will be thinking about what could have been after a heartbreaking defeat to Malawi on Tuesday morning.
Four netballers are representing the area on the Gold Coast, with Calderwood’s Nicola McCleery, Newlandsmuir’s Lynsey Gallagher, Westwood’s Sam Murphy and Strathaven’s Niamh McCall in action.
And they have produced some battling displays against some of the world’s top teams, none more so than their agonising 50-51 defeat to Malawi.
The Thistles trailed 23-28 at half-time, against a side who had stunned 2014 silver medallists New Zealand 48 hours earlier, but almost pulled off a shock draw.
Scotland won the third quarter 13-11 and then took the final quarter 14-12 but it left them just a point short of a stunning result, losing the contest in dramatic circumstances.
Right at the death, Gallagher missed a shot from under the net and within seconds the Scots had two penalty attempts to tie the match.
However, Bethan Goodwin missed both from close range as the nerves took hold.
It was a heartbreaking finish that led to gutted Goodwin racing off the court at full-time.
During the contest goal attack Lynsey netted 12 goals from 15 attempts, while fellow forward Goodwin scored the other 38 points from 42 attempts.
Netball Scotland CEO Clare Nelson summed up the agony of the Thistle fans after the match.
She tweeted:“Every player, @ ScotThistles fan and netball supporter across the world just shed a tear at that valiant effort.
“And whilst we’re disappointed not to get the draw or the win what I am so proud of is the fact that we – and everyone else – believed we could. Scotland is on the rise.”
Before all that the Scots started the Games with a 74-28 to a much-fancied England side last Thursday.
They bounced back on Saturday with a fantastic 51-47 victory over Wales, earning just their third win in two Commonwealth Games.
On Monday the Thistles lost out 60-29 to New Zealand before the drama with Malawi.
The Games also represented milestone moments for Sam Murphy and Gallagher, who both earned their 75th caps for their country.
Scotland play Uganda this morning in their final pool B match before the placing matches take place on Thursday.