Thursday wscc08: Scotland v Japan

Scotland played Japan this afternoon with a good chance of reaching the semifinals by finishing in the top four.

Kirsty, Judy, Pat and Anne took a fine three at the second to go ahead 3-2, Kirsty hitting and staying with her last stone of the end.

It was tied in the sixth, but the Japanese got a well hidden counter in the penultimate end, and Kirsty was inches heavy with her draw. Down 7-6 in the eighth, Kirsty was too light with her first attempted draw, and then when Eriko Igarashi drew in to lie shot, the Scottish skip was tight with her last takeout and wrecked. Japan stole the end and the game.

Find all the Seniors' results and standings here. There are also WCF reports here.

Pic of Kirsty by Bob.

Mixed Doubles: Thursday review

Dillan Perras and Judith Carr finished their World Mixed Doubles campaign on three wins and four losses. This morning's last round robin game was not one to be remembered. They were grannied by the Czech Republic! But such is the nature of this new competition. Anything can happen. It needs new skills. But make no mistake, it is great fun to play and very interesting to watch. Mixed Doubles is here to stay.

The teams have been invited to a meeting with WCF representatives tomorrow to discuss the way ahead for this championship and if there needs to be any tweaking of the rules.

So where are we in the event? There were three sections with eight teams in each. The top qualifiers in two of the sections were Norway (yet to lose a game) and Switzerland. In the third section three teams were tied with 5-2 records: Sweden, Hungary and Canada. Sweden went through on ranking - the Draw Shot Challenge distance was used as they all beaten each other. A tiebreaker is now necessary between Canada and Hungary to decide the second placed team in this section.

The winner of the Canada-Hungary game then has to play off with the other two second placed teams (Finland and Czech Republic) to get one more team for the playoffs. These three teams will be ranked with the Draw Shot Challenge. The two with the worse DSC will play and the winner of that game goes forward to play the team with the best DSC.

The way that the semis are lined up are:
Norway v Switzerland
Sweden v the qualifier

I hope that is clear? My head does hurt a little from trying to work it all out. I may be wrong. Perhaps you might like to keep up with it all on the results page here.

Wednesday wscc08: Scotland v England

Well, the battle against the 'Auld Enemy' saw Kirsty, Judy, Pat and Anne take two at the first. Kirsty played an excellent draw to the front of the house to lie three at the second, blocking the way to the button. That resulted in a stolen three and a 5-0 lead. And the game was over in six ends, the Scots well ahead.

With Japan and Ireland still to play in the nine game round robin, Scotland have won five games. The girls have a share of top spot in the rankings with Finland, Switzerland and Canada! Can they make the playoffs?

Find all the Seniors' results and standings here. There are also WCF reports here.

The photo is of the team out of uniform in their Braehead kit. Must admit the colour does it for me! Nice. L-R: Margaret Gibb, Anne MacDougall, Pat Orr, Judy Mackenzie and Kirsty Letton. Pic by Bob.

Wednesday WSCC08: Scotland v Iceland

Graeme, Ken, Stuart and Alan faced Iceland in their seventh round robin game. For this one, it was simply a case of patience, and waiting for the chance. That came in the fifth. The Scots took a five, and that was the game!

One more game now, against England. And with Finland losing tonight, there could even be tiebreakers necessary for the qualifying places!

Find all the Seniors' results and standings here.

The pic above is of the Icelandic team's unusual sweeping style. By Bob.

Wednesday wscc08: Scotland v USA

Kirsty, Judy, Pat and Anne were up against the USA in this afternoon's game. The Scots counted three in the second, and then another four in the fourth, and that even when Kirsty was short with her last stone of the end! They went into the break 7-2 in front, and the handshakes were offered with the Scots 13-2 ahead.

So, that's four wins and two losses for the Scottish women, with three more games still to play against England, Japan and Ireland.

Find all the Seniors' results and standings here.

Pic by Bob.

Mixed Doubles Wednesday: Scotland v Latvia

This was the game that Dillan and Judith had to win to be in with any shout of making the playoffs.

Down 3-1 in the third end, there was a slim chance of a big end after the Latvians played a great last stone to lie shot with three Scottish second counters. But Judith's last stone clipped the guard, Latvia stole a single, and there was no coming back.

Scotland has three wins from six games, with one more still to play against the Czech Republic.

Wednesday WSCC08: Scotland v Ireland

It would have been nice to stay in my bed this morning! All these long days are taking their toll on the old body. But there was an 08.00 draw, so I struggled out of my pit, had a lovely breakfast (did I say that the food here at this Finnish National Sports Centre is absolutely first class?) and made it to the first end.

Alan MacLennan was on the ice for Scotland, looking much fitter than yesterday and (almost) back to his normal colour, on his way to recovery from the bug that has swept through the Seniors teams, as well as the those competing in the Mixed Doubles. Stuart Naismith, Ken Horton and Graeme Adam looked to be in top form too.

Certainly they were in the first! Cashing in on Irish errors, Graeme had a free draw for five with his last stone, and he made this. Up 5-0 in only the first end, it was going to be a short game.

The organisers are concerned about the spread of this sickness/diarrhoea that is prevalent at the events. The Norwegian team had to abandon their game against the USA this morning, and all teams have been issued with an antiseptic handwash, and the advice to consider not shaking hands!

So, if Curling Today disappears for a while, you'll know I've been struck down!

Find all the Seniors' results and standings here.

Ken Horton whips the front end! Alan MacLennan and Stuart Naismith are the sweepers. Pic by Bob.