NO GOLDS BUT SCOTS STILL ON THE UP
ALEX ‘Tattie’ Marshall failed in his bid to win a record fifth Commonwealth Games gold — but vowed to carry on bowling in pursuit of history. Marshall’s final shot in yesterday’s pairs final was six inches away from cinching gold for him and partner Paul Foster. Settling for silver after defeat to the Welsh duo of Daniel Salmon and Marc Wyatt, Marshall said: ‘It’s hard to take. But you can’t be too despondent with a silver. There were a few records to be broken but I’m not going to dwell on that.
‘I’ve got many, many more opportunities to get that fifth gold medal, starting with the fours. We’ll regroup, relax, and look forward to that. ‘Getting that fifth gold medal would mean a lot. Of course it would. But that’s my first defeat in the Commonwealth Games since 2002.’ Meanwhile, Frank Baines (left) celebrated a second gymnastics bronze of the Games — another contribution to the evermounting Team Scotland tally. Baines, who finished third in the parallel bars, said: ‘I’m really happy just to add to
that medal total for Scotland. We’re aiming for the best away Games total ever, so to be able to play a part in that, I’m really proud of myself.’ Baines was sitting in third with just one man still to complete his routine — and had his podium place confirmed when Welsh rival Iwan Mepham messed up. Mepham was among the first to congratulate the Scot, who revealed: ‘He’s really good. He was doing a really lovely routine and it’s just really unfortunate. ‘It’s a bit nerve-racking but I’ve been in the position before where I’ve dropped out of the medals. ‘I’m quite used to it now. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.’