Commonwealth Games: Wee drams of the Games week

Widaad Gukhool. Photo / Google Plus

Oh the memories ...

The Games have been a reminder of what's great about Scotland - Bagpipes, Arthur Conan Doyle, haggis, Alexander Fleming, golf, Billy Connolly, whisky, Sean Connery, kilts, Nessie, Trainspotting, Rod Stewart, Taggart, Austin Powers' Fat Bastard. Special mention to Alexander Graham Bell and John Logie Baird, too, without whom we wouldn't would be hearing or seeing as much of the Games as we do.

Quirkiest story

Police intervening after members of Sri Lanka's cycling team danced illegally on their pedals along the M74, one of Scotland's busiest motorways, to stretch their legs pre-competition.

Best ambassadors

The sprint cyclists met and exceeded expectations by winning the team event and taking gold (Sam Webster) and bronze (Eddie Dawkins) in the individual racing. The disciplines held genuine pedigree with Australian and British athletes present. As Sky Sports' Dennis Katsanos whooped with joy mid-interview, the dignified Webster must have found the individual victory particularly sweet. He'd beaten Olympic champion Jason Kenny and avenged his omission from the London Games team. Expect a crowning glory at Rio.

Triathlon blues

Before the race, there was bawdy humour on the Sky show about whether there'd be man humps or lady lumps on the undulating course with Ryan Sissons adding, "who doesn't like a few curves". It's hard to imagine it was a barrel of laughs afterwards when Andrea Hewitt was the best female finisher in fourth and Tony Dodds the best male in 10th. Sissons was 13th. Presumably the japes were put aside overnight (NZT) with the relay set to provide a crucial gauge as to how much of the current $1.4 million a year in taxpayer funding will stay heading to Rio.

Compelling underdog

The Mauritius women's doubles combination of Deborah Wong Yuen Kwong and Widaad Gukhool gave New Zealand's table tennis players Karen Li and Yang Sun a scare, taking the match to five games. Gukhool, dressed in a traditional Muslim hijab rather than loose polo and shorts, must have been guzzling back the water to rehydrate, given her agility around the table. She earned the Hard Yakka award.

Insightful commentary

Former New Zealand triathlete Kris Gemmell was outstanding. He explained what it's like at the heart of a race, much as he did during the Hamish Carter/Bevan Docherty duel at the Athens Olympics after missing selection. Contrast that with whoever pointed out at the velodrome that: "Jason Kenny is a racer and I think he's going to have a good race."

Clutch moment

Ali Forsyth stepped up for the men's triples bowls team when it seemed Guernsey might draw level on the last end. It was 14-13 with the Channel Islanders holding a shot. Forsyth went on the drive and pinged the opposition shot off the head, leaving New Zealand with two shots and victory.

Warning: hockey ahead

Do penalty corners come with too much risk? When a drag flick looms, out come hybrid Hannibal Lecter/Jason prototype masks to keep the dentists at bay. Does the density of the ball need reviewing?