commination \kom-uh-NAY-shuhn\, noun:
1. A denunciation.
2. A threat of punishment.
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The whole country is jumping for joy just now, or so it would seem. At last we Scots have something to cheer about in the world of sport, what with oor verry ain Andy Murray from Dunblane winning through to the third round of Wimbledon - something that the Canadian import, Greg Rudeski, and the darling boy of the Home Counties, Tim Henman, failed to achieve this time round. The teenage tennis sensation carries the hopes of a nation that has had to suffer the indignity of failing to get a single player into Sir Clive Woodward's English... sorry, British and Irish Lions test squad to face the All Blacks (since just about everyone in Scotland has a relative living in NZ, most people up here will be cheering on the All Blacks). Young Murray became an instant hero with Scots the world over - people who couldn't tell the difference between a backhand lob and and ace if it hit them in their most tender parts - when he corrected one American reporter who called him English. 'I'm not English', the young man stated, 'I am Scottish'. Now, wouldn't it be great if he appeared on Centre Court tomorrow with his face painted blue, a lá Mel Gibson in Braveheart! Okay, I know it's not going to happen, but it is a nice thought - he's just young enough to get away with it. His typical Scottish self-deprecation is also something that appeals to me. When asked if he thinks he will win, he quite bluntly states that he hasn't a hope against seeded players - yet he has already knocked out the number 14 seed. Whatever happens with this young lad tomorrow, win or lose on the court, he will finish this year's Wimbledon as a winner. What the Middle-Englanders who turn up at Wimbledon just to cheer on Henman from Henman Hill (since renamed Murray Field) and wave their St George's flags will make of it all remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, however, a large part of Scotland will come to a standstill tomorrow afternoon to will on our young hero to victory. Wha's lik' us? Damn few, an' they're a' deid!


Last year Portugal beat England fair and square