SCOTLAND BATTERED, TO PLAY FOR BRONZE
- Updated: April 14, 2018
Scotland were crushed 103-46 by Australia in the Commonwealth Games men’s semi-finals in Gold Coast.
It wasn’t even close.
After the Boomers led 6-4 early on, 18 unanswered points wrecked any dreams of an upset from Rob Beveridge’s men.
The hosts were too big, too strong, too potent.
And other than a brief second quarter flurry, it was one-way traffic as Australia claimed a 48-22 half-time lead.
Worse, however, was to come for the Scots.
In a torrid seven-minute spell in the third, the Aussies rattled off a 27-0 run that simply put a wrecking ball through their foes.
And it leaves Scotland, who were led by nine apiece from Ali Fraser and Fraser Malcolm, to play off against New Zealand on Sunday for bronze after their late comeback proved in vain in a 88-86 loss to Canada.
“We came out wanting to give it our best shot,” said Fraser. “We had a rough first half. I thought we did better in the second. We only scored four points in the first part of the game and that was always going to be tough to come back from and we started using this game as part of the preparation for the bronze match.
“But you’re playing Australia in Australia in the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games. I don’t think anyone apart from us thought this was possible. So it is special to be a part of.”
Australia, now massive favourites for gold, got a game-high 17 points from Jesse Wagstaff.
But Scotland will be readier for their shot at the podium, Beveridge vowed, with Kieron Achara and Gareth Murray rested for most of the second half and his bench players getting a taste.
“We put the young kids in,” he said. “They had a wonderful experience. The first half they had a bit of poo running down their leg. But they’ll be better for the experience.
“But we have to have a lot more press releases. We can’t just rely on one person.”
Bronze would be amazing, he said.
“That’s what we’re aiming for – a medal. We knew how difficult it would be from day one. But we’ve given ourselves a chance.”
Later, England’s women meet Australia in their gold medal game.
Photo: Team Scotland
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