Opening defeat but netball takes wins from Hydro debut

Sometimes it's about a bigger picture.

Scotland took a sore one as they opened the Commonwealth Games netball with a thumping 74-44 defeat by New Zealand, but the events of Saturday morning were about much more than just the contest on court.

The biggest ever crowd for netball in Scotland was inside the cavernous Hydro for the 09:00 BST start as the sport was given a priceless platform.

"We're so grateful," said goal shooter Emma Barrie, who scored 20 of the hosts' points. "We don't get many events like this in netball.

"It's so special for women's sport and for all these little girls to be able to see it. When I came to the 2014 Games, that was the start of netball for me."

Defeat in their first of five group games was not unexpected given the Scots' opposition were the world's second best side.

The more significant test comes against Wales on Sunday (09:00) as they endeavour to improve on their ninth-place finish in Birmingham four years ago.