Glasson’s Gossip #2 – Our National Coach reports from Glasgow
Bowls Australia : Glas, how is the feeling amongst the troops so soon after Kelsey (Cottrell) came so close to progressing to the quarter finals but fell just two shots short? Steve Glasson: The feeling is good but disappointed for Kelso at the same time. Poor ole Kelsey came so close, but she trailed 3-9 this morning against one of the pre-event favourites and today was by far her best match so far these Games as she beat a really good player by 10 shots. BA : She knew what the challenge was when she arrived at Kelvingrove this morning and we just needed the cards to fall our way but they didn’t did they? SG : In the Wales/Guernsey match it was all Guernsey for about 80% of it until a late rush from Caroline (Taylor) from Wales which saw her score enough to get through which is disappointing but Kelsey’s result is a good boost for her before the triples start as she starts that competition in good form beating a very good player on her merits today – Kelsey played phenomenal today. BA : Was the ‘pep talk’ difficult today to get Kelsey up knowing that she had a chance to progress but it was a long shot before the match started? SG: Not at all. We are talking about classy and professional people who understand situations well. This morning it looked uphill for Kelsey but we spoke about just winning and winning by as much as she can and the mathematics relating to other games are out of our control so we can’t worry about them. We don’t need to instil pride in these people because they are wearing the green and gold of Australia and are always up for it. So the conversations on occasions like this aren’t extensive because we have really good handle on the jobs we need to do and the factors we can’t control don’t concern us. BA: We knew having Wales and Scotland in our pool for women’s singles was a tough pool didn’t we? SG : Pool of death really…no seriously though it was a tough section, possibly the toughest in the competition but we love that, it challenges us and we’ve just come up short. Kelsey can hold her head high. BA: How have you seen the women’s fours combo fare thus far? SG : They probably had their wost game against Jersey the other day and then rallied and came out and really sizzled yesterday and now confront Scotland in their last sectional match and I’m really confident they can account for Scotland. BA: Gee, it’s tight at the top of their section? SG: Sure is, I think only shot differential separates about four countries in their section but given our shots for and against, we are well placed so a good result over Scotland will only help where we ultimately finish – they know they just have to win. BA : All but one of the women’s fours combo have been to a Commonwealth Games before, how have you seen Carla Odger’s debut? SG : Very good. It’s a real eye opener to anyone who hasn’t been to a Commonwealth Games before and all the Village activity and attention on the team etc so it is a challenge but she has held her own in the matches which is all we ask. I also think she’ll continue to improve as they head – hopefully – into the quarter finals and then for Carla, the pairs with Tash next week. BA : We should quickly cover the guys….both pairs and triples head into the post sectional rounds undefeated which is terrific isn’t it? SG: The boys in both disciplines have been clinical almost..clinical with the odd hiccup if you can have that.. but not many. They have been outstanding all five of them. They have worked harmoniously and with great spirit and form. The triples had a tough draw on paper and have performed well and, well with Wilkie and Sherriff, you know what you’re going to get and it has been all class as expected but the key thing we reinforce is that when you make the play-off stage, everyone starts from scratch again really regardless of how well we’ve played beforehand. BA: And finally, as we speak the vision-impaired mixed pairs are preparing for a bronze medal play-off, by the time this has …
