Achara delight as team hold court against England

Basketball Kieron Achara admitted helping Scotland stun England felt just as good as making his Olympic debut at London 2012.

Achara was a proud part of the British team six summers ago but missed playing for Scotland when basketball was last at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 due to injury.

But after helping Scotland secure a confident 78-65 victory over arch-rivals England in Townsville, the 34-year-old admitted team spirit made the difference.

“We will celebrate but we still have a long way to go and our focus is ahead,” he said. “We want to medal and we will do it together as a team. The crowd support was great and we are very thankful to our fans. Everyone loves a Scot, aye.

“It has been a long wait for this moment for me and it means so much to wear that Scotland jersey at a major Games – beating the English is pretty special too.”

Gareth Murray was the top scorer with 18 points. The Scots next face Cameroon and India. Men’s hockey Scotland’s men defied the pundits and the world rankings to see off South Africa 4-2 in the opening pool match. Derek Forsyth’s charges powered their way into a three-goal lead in the first quarter through Rob Harwood, Kenny Bain and Cammie Fraser and never looked back.

Gareth Heyns reduced the deficit with a direct shot at a penalty corner but the win was sealed in the first minute of the final quarter when Bain worked the ball wide of the keeper and off-balance fired it into the net for 4-2. Next up are Canada tomorrow. Women’s hockey Scotland went down 6-1 to a New Zealand side ranked fourth in the world. The contest was effectively over by the interval with the Kiwis four goals ahead through Kelsey Smith, Brooke Neal, Shiloh Gloyn and Rose Keddell. New Zealand consolidated their position in the second half with further goals from Keddell and Gloyn, before Ali Howie netted a consolation for the Scots. Netball Scotland went down heavily to England in their opening match at the Games. The English, who have been tipped to win gold, won 74-28.

Scots captain Claire Brownie believes her side can still make theirtargetofatop-eightfinish.