New Zealand v Scotland netball - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games recap as spirited hosts beaten in opener

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Scotland opened their Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign with defeat, suffering a 74-44 loss to New Zealand, but will feel confident against lower-ranked opposition to come in their group.

Scotland finish with a flurry despite defeat to New Zealand

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Silver Ferns dominated across the board, with an 89.2% conversion rate the pick of the bunch, but also led in interceptions and turnovers.

Scotland showed signs of fight, but the Thistles failed to win a quarter, and fell apart in the final quarter as any hopes for a best-ever performance against New Zealand faded.

The Kiwis now turn their attention to their clash with Jamaica, the last edition's silver medallists, in what should be their toughest test of Group B.

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Scotland, meanwhile, are back in action on Sunday against Wales, who finished one place above The Thistles in Birmingham in eighth place.

Full time! New Zealand 74-44 Scotland

All over! New Zealand get their campaign up and running with a comfortable win.

Scotland will feel confident with their performance, however, after they threatened to challenge the two-time winners at times.

They will be disappointed with that last quarter, though, losing it 21-7.

Can New Zealand go all the way this year?

Q4: New Zealand 72-43 Scotland

Scotland's shooting is becoming ragged, but let's not let this last quarter take away from their efforts against the World No.2 team.

It's been 16 years since New Zealand won the Commonwealth Games. Is this year their year?

New Zealand running riot

Q4: New Zealand 67-40 Scotland

Scotland are fading quite rapidly here. However, Cerys Finn finds a crucial interception but it is ultimately in vain as New Zealand eventually score.

New Zealand are scoring for fun now.

Scotland's hope of a best performance fading

Q4: New Zealand 62-39 Scotland

The record lowest margin of defeat for Scotland against New Zealand is 22. They have an outside chance of beating that today.

However, this quarter has gone away from them. The deficit now stands at 23.

Goals drying up for Scotland

Q4: New Zealand 59-38 Scotland

This match has been generally high scoring, but both sides are getting more wasteful in the shooting circle now.

There are opportunities in this group for both though, as New Zealand only have one other top-five opponent in Jamaica to face.

Two players on for Scotland

Q4: New Zealand 55-38 Scotland

Bethan Goodwin is on at goal shooter too, and works well with Cerys Cairns to get Scotland on the board for this quarter.

Goodwin then has a chance to open her account but misses. Amelia Walmsley goes up the other end and converts at the second attempt.

Fourth quarter underway

Q4: New Zealand 53-37 Scotland

One last team huddle for the Thistles as they hope to keep the scoreline modest. Plenty of positives to be taken from today.

Hannah Grant is back on for Scotland.

End of third quarter

Q3: New Zealand 53-37 Scotland

Better from Scotland as both sides exchange points. Can they close out this quarter well?

There goes the bell for the third quarter. 18-13 to New Zealand in that one.

Moore on for debut

Q3: New Zealand 50-35 Scotland

On comes Jazmine Moore at wing attack, for her Commonwealth Games debut. New Zealand play a pass that is going nowhere, but a Scotland hand gives possession back and the Silver Ferns convert a long shot.

Amelia Walmsley uses her long arms to keep a ball in play and once again, New Zealand are ending a quarter well.

Another tight quarter

Q3: New Zealand 46-34 Scotland

Scotland are on a roll here! Emma Barrie makes it six, New Zealand finally stop the rot.

It's been another tight quarter, but will the Silver Ferns stretch ahead in the final few minutes just like in the first two? Five to go.

Scotland bite back

Q3: New Zealand 43-31 Scotland

Amelia Walmsley is penalised for using the post to maintain her balance, allowing Scotland to go forward and bag another point.

Cerys Cairns has been brilliant since coming on, and all of a sudden it's Scotland who reel off five points on the spin.

New Zealand extending advantage

Q3: New Zealand 43-26 Scotland

Fantastic defence from New Zealand denies Emma Barrie and Scotland. Kelly Jackson made an instinctive interception, before keeping the ball in play.

The Silver Ferns are motoring now. Five points without reply.

Changes aplenty for both

Q3: New Zealand 38-26 Scotland

New Zealand are flying out of the traps as Amelia Walmsley, on at GS, immediately gets on the scoresheet.

Scotland have also brought Emily Nicholl and Niamh McCall off for Cerys Cairns and Beth Goodwin.

Third quarter underway!

Q3: New Zealand 35-24 Scotland

We're back now. Can Scotland keep New Zealand honest? Or even mount a comeback? Let's find out.

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Watch: How the Hydro transformed into a Netball Court

'Unbelievable' time-lapse of Hydro transformation into netball court after opening ceremony

Video credit: TNT Sports

Half time! New Zealand 35-24 Scotland

Can Scotland at least win this quarter? They are one behind at the moment, unable to cope with New Zealand's pressure.

No they can't. New Zealand go into half-time with a healthy advantage.

New Zealand push forward

Q2: New Zealand 33-23 Scotland

It's a similar story to the first quarter, where a late New Zealand surge is putting the match beyond Scotland, who are coming under pressure now.

Grace Nweke looks unstoppable at times, being able to outjump the Scotland players.

Scotland continue to keep New Zealand honest

Q2: New Zealand 28-22 Scotland

A lovely finish from Niamh McCall is greeted with loud cheers from the Hydro. Scotland are up in this quarter.

Those changes from New Zealand haven't really worked. It will be interesting to see if they revert after half-time.

Even second quarter so far

Q2: New Zealand 26-18 Scotland

Scotland have been the better side in the second quarter and continue to close the deficit. They may not get anything from this game, but there are very encouraging signs going forward.

Grace Nweke continues to do her thing though to reel off the points for the Silver Ferns.

Nicholl raises energy with crucial interception

Q2: New Zealand 22-15 Scotland

A big roar from Emily Nicholl, who steps out of position to make an interception. New Zealand certainly have a height advantage, as Niamh McCall often finds herself crowded out.

Emma Barrie gets Scotland's fourth, equalling the record for the lowest points score from themselves, back in Glasgow 2014.

Fantastic take from Barrie with her fingertips and she converts to close the gap once more.

McCall finally nets after two missed attempts

Q2: New Zealand 21-12 Scotland

Hannah Leighton forces a brilliant turnover, but Niamh McCall misses her second attempt in a row, taking too long to take the shot.

Is it third time lucky for McCall? Yes it is. Better from Scotland.

Second quarter underway

Q2: New Zealand 19-11 Scotland

Grace Nweke has converted 14 of her 15 attempts so far, and that has been the tale of the tape.

Out come the players for the second half, as New Zealand substitute Martina Salmon on.

End of first quarter

Q1: New Zealand 19-11 Scotland

Scotland are getting a bit wasteful in the shooting circle, something which New Zealand's Grace Nweke has not been.

This allows New Zealand to extend their advantage as we enter the last minute of the quarter.

Scotland played well in the first 12 or so minutes, but the Silver Ferns escaped towards the end and have a healthy advantage

New Zealand getting frustrated

Q1: New Zealand 14-11 Scotland

This has been far tighter than New Zealand would have liked. Twelve years ago, Scotland set the record for the lowest points tally in a match when they lost 71-14 to the Silver Ferns.

Good teamwork from Niamh McCall and Emma Barrie helps Scotland maintain touching distance with three minutes to go

Scotland Growing into game

Q1: New Zealand 9-7 Scotland

Halfway through the first quarter, and Scotland are fighting back, briefly levelling at 4-4 but the Silver Ferns push their advantage once more.

Emma Barrie maintains the momentum, but Maddie Gordon intercepts and New Zealand counter successfully to restore their two-shot cushion.

Match underway!

New Zealand win the coin toss and waste no time in getting their first point through Grace Nweke, who quickly gets a second.

Scotland cannot get into the match as Nweke gets a third.

What's in store today

The women take centre stage in artistic gymnastics, while it's another packed evening in the pool. Netball also gets underway, with all four Home Nations opening their campaigns.

Netball (09:00-12:30, 14:00-17:30) – Scotland face New Zealand, England take on Northern Ireland and Wales meet Uganda as the Home Nations begin their tournament.

Artistic gymnastics (10:00-14:00, 15:45-20:45) – The women's team title is decided alongside individual qualification.

Swimming and Para swimming (19:00-22:00) – Finals include the men's 100m breaststroke and S14 200m freestyle events.

Who to look out for in Scotland's netball squad

Scotland have a new-look squad compared to their disappointing Birmingham 2022 campaign, with five players being selected for the Commonwealth Games for the first time.

Those players are Lexy Gillies, Cerys Cairns, Cerys Finn, Hannah Grant and Jazmine Moore, while Emily Nicholl, Bethan Goodwin and Niamh McCall make their third appearances.

Since making their netball debut in 2014, Scotland have never finished higher than ninth.

Team Scotland Netball Squad:

Emma Barrie – GS

Cerys Cairns – GA/WA

Iona Christian – WA/C

Rachel Conway – GK/GD

Cerys Finn – GK/GD

Lexy Gillies – C/WD

Bethan Goodwin – GS/GA

Hannah Grant – WD/GD

Hannah Leighton – C/WD

Niamh McCall – GA/GS

Jazmine Moore – WA/C

Emily Nicholl – GD/WD

How did Scotland fare last time?

As mentioned before, Scotland finished ninth in Birmingham, registering just one win in the group stage.

Despite cruising past Barbados, Scotland managed to push Wales and South Africa close, but were soundly beaten by Australia and Jamaica, the eventual gold and silver medallists.

However, they beat Northern Ireland in the ninth-placed match 43-33 to end the games on a high note.

Hosts celebrate first gold medal

Scotland have already bagged a gold medal in the pool, as Duncan Scott delivered on expectations in the men's 200m individual medley.

Scott clocked at 1:56.38 to set a new Commonwealth Games record, ahead of New Zealand's Lewis Clareburt and England's Thomas Dean.

It was a fourth gold medal for Scott at the Commonwealth Games, adding to his triumphs in the 100m freestyle in 2018 and his 200m freestyle and 200m medley titles in 2022.

He now has 18 long-course gold medals on his roll of honour at Olympic, world, European and Commonwealth level.

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