MAUCHLINE’S Adam Hall and Auchinleck’s Claire Johnston have been in action at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast.

Badminton star Hall helped Team Scotland reach the quarter-finals of the mixed team event featuring in the men’s doubles in their group stage matches against India and Sri Lanka.

They then faced Malaysia for a place in the semi-finals with Hall competing in the men’s and mixed doubles but they were unable to overhaul their much fancied opponents.

However, Hall – alongside partner Alex Dunn – cruised into the last 16 of the men’s doubles competition with a routine 21-7 21-13 win over Seychelles pair Kervin Ghislain and Steve Malcouzane.

The 22-year-old is now targeting at least a last-eight spot. He said: “We’re aiming for the quarter-finals as a minimum. It’s difficult competing with nations like Malaysia, but if we could make it that far, it would be the best win of our lives.”

The Scottish pair took 11 minutes to claim the first game against Ghislain and Malcouzane and only 60 seconds longer to seal the second, although Dunn was impressed by their opponents.

“The players from Seychelles were quite good, but we also played well, and we felt very comfortable playing against them,” he explained.

“They aren’t known as a badminton nation, but it’s really good to see them coming through and developing. I hope they’ll keep progressing.”

The pair will now take on Barbadians Dakeil Thorpe and Cory Fanus on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Bowler Johnston also reached the quarter-finals at the weekend. She was part of the women’s fours team which lost to Canada after coming through the group phase unbeaten.

Johnston is also competing in the women’s pairs with Lesley Doig. A 25-9 win against Botswana on Monday was followed up with a 32-9 victory over Brunei Darussalam yesterday (Tuesday).

In their final two group games, the pair won 36-10 against the Cook Islands before losing 18-11 to Malaysia this morning (Wednesday). They will now play hosts Australia – who came through their section unbeaten – for a place in the semi-finals tomorrow.

At the time of going to press, the Scots pair were joint top of their section with Malaysia going into their final two group matches against Malaysia and the Cook Islands which were due to take place this morning (Wednesday).

Gavin Lowe, also from Mauchline, was in action for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens this week but a hamstring injury means he has had to withdraw from the squad for the Commonwealth Games.