Scotland defeated by Uganda as netball campaign further dented at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - 'We are a lot better than that'
Updated 30/07/2026 at 15:27 GMT+1
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Scotland missed the chance to secure third place in Group B, as the 2026 Commonwealth Games hosts were beaten 65-56 by Uganda on Thursday.
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The Thistles were unable to build on their spirited display against Jamaica less than 24 hours earlier, with Kath Tetley's side slipping to successive defeats.
Mary Cholhok played a starring role for Uganda, with the 6ft 7in goal shooter notching 46 goals from 56 attempts.
Shadiah Nassanga chipped in with 19 from 20, while also providing a team-high 28 assists, as The She Cranes controlled large periods of the contest.
Scotland - for whom Cerys Cairns (24 from 27) and Emma Barrie (22 from 26) led the way - finished strongly, tying the third quarter 16-16 and winning the last 18-13.
”We know we are a lot better than that,” said Scotland's Cerys Finn.
”I think we're probably a little bit disappointed we didn't come out firing in the first half. We won the second half, which was great, but unfortunately we just couldn't produce that for the entire game.”
Though they cannot finish higher than fourth in Group B, the Scots are still guaranteed their highest final position at the Games. They face Malawi in a play-off for seventh place on Friday.
”Even though we lost today, I think we still have to go into tomorrow's game fighting," added Finn.
"We want that seventh-place finish because it would represent our highest ever, so that is super exciting.
"This whole experience has given us confidence to take forward. We know that we can fight against the best nations in the world, even if we didn't show it today.
”I think our performance showed that even when we are tired, we can pull through and not let our heads drop.
”I think that tiredness probably harmed us in the first half. We probably built up a bit too much adrenaline yesterday, but we know we can win the game tomorrow and hopefully get that seventh position.”
FT: Scotland 56-65 Uganda
Q4: Scotland 50-60 Uganda
To their credit, it's actually Scotland who are finishing the stronger of the two sides.
With errors creeping into their opponents' game, the hosts are reducing their deficit to make the scoreline more respectable.
Q4: Scotland 44-60 Uganda
The She-Cranes bring up 60 as they look to close out the contest in style.
Uganda at the Games
- 2018: Sixth
- 2022: Fifth
As things stand, they will have the chance to match their best performance in the classification matches.
End of Q3: Scotland 38-52 Uganda
Uganda still well in control of the scoreline, but that third quarter finished on level terms.
Q3: Scotland 36-50 Uganda
After a fairly even third quarter, Uganda appeared to have regained the upper hand as brought up the half-century.
Scotland have improved again, though, to share the scoring.
The last time
2018: Scotland 37-57 Uganda
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Scotland Uganda 2018
Image credit: Getty Images
Q3: Scotland 29-42 Uganda
Scotland appear to be feeling the effects of their efforts against Jamaica on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, they're holding their own in this third quarter.
Q3: Scotland 22-36 Uganda
The second half is under way!
How to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games
Half-time! Scotland 22-36 Uganda
The She-Cranes in control at the midway point in this contest.
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Iona Christian of Team Scotland
Image credit: Getty Images
Q2: Scotland 19-32 Uganda
Sloppy mistakes have proved costly for Scotland, and allowed their opponents to pull clear.
Cerys Cairns has been introduced by the hosts in a bid to provide them with a spark.
Q2: Scotland 16-28 Uganda
Cholhok continues to lead Uganda's charge, taking her goal tally for this game to 23.
Shadiah Nassanga is playing a supporting role, but is a perfect five from five thus far.
Q2: Scotland 14-19 Uganda
We're off and running again in the second quarter, with the sides exchanging a couple of goals apiece.
End of Q1: Scotland 12-17 Uganda
A strong finish to the quarter for Uganda just gives them a little bit of breathing space at the break.
New leader
Despite requiring a second rebound, Cholhok takes her tally for these Games to 12.
That moves her to the top of that leaderboard, ahead of Northern Ireland's Lisa Bowman.
Q1: Scotland 7-10 Uganda
Mary Cholhok proves she's human, as the six-foot-seven goal shooter misses from right in front of the hoop.
Nevertheless, she's still 10 from 11 in these opening stages.
The crowd are doing their best to rally the hosts, who keep themselves within touching distance.
Q1: Scotland 2-6 Uganda
A bit of breathing space already for the African nation.
Scotland produced a hugely spirited display against Jamaica on Wednesday, and will be keen to build on that momentum today.
Q1: Scotland 0-0 Uganda
Off we go!
It's almost time
The players are introduced into the arena, and we're nearly ready to get under way...
Most rebounds at the 2026 Games
- 11: Lisa Bowman (Northern Ireland)
- 10: Grace Nweke (New Zealand), Elmere van der Berg (South Africa), Mary Cholhok (Uganda)
- 7: Emma Barrie (Scotland), Sophie Garbin (Australia)
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Emma Barrie
Image credit: Getty Images
The story so far
- Match 1: Scotland 44-74 New Zealand; Uganda 59-50 Wales
- Match 2: Scotland 56-47 Wales; Uganda 80-36 Trinidad & Tobago
- Match 3: Scotland 77-27 Trinidad & Tobago; Uganda 49-55 Jamaica
- Match 4: Scotland 43-45 Jamaica; Uganda 50-58 New Zealand
Starting sevens
Scotland: Emma Barrie, Niamh McCall, Iona Christian, Hannah Leighton, Hannah Grant, Emily Nicholl, Cerys Finn.
Uganda: Mary Cholhok, Shadiah Nassanga, Racheal Nanyonga, Margret Baagala, Shaffie Nalwanja, Gloria Ayaa, Haniisha Muhameed.
Third place in Group B at stake
Both nations' hopes of claiming a first ever medal are over, but they can still record their best finishes at the Games.
Whoever wins this game will be guaranteed at least sixth place ahead of the classification matches.
How to watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is entering a new era with TNT Sports and HBO Max set to deliver a never-before-seen viewing experience, with every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.
Watch and stream every event from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games exclusively live across TNT Sports and all HBO Max plans in the UK and Ireland.
Good morning
Hello everyone and welcome to live text coverage of netball from the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Today, we bring you a Group B showdown between Scotland and Uganda.
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