SCOTS BATTLE IT OUT IN FINAL SHOWDOWN

Jan 23 2008 Paisley Daily Express

SCOTLAND defeated a host of top curling nations when they swept to victory in the Glynhill Ladies International at Braehead.

The crowds were delighted when the tournament ended on a high with an Scots final.

And there was disappointment in store for Kelly Wood and her bravehearts as their side, surprisingly, lost during the all Scots affair.

Wood’s team were defeated 6-5 in a pulsating game with fellow Scots, led by Gail Munro.

But ultimately, curling was the real winner at Braehead with the sport being showcased at International level.

Kirsty Letton, co-chairperson of the tournament’s organising committee said: “The tournament at Braehead curling rink was a resounding success.

“The response we have had from all the players has been wonderful. Many of them have already said they will come back for the tournament next year.

“The final was a fantastic sporting spectacle with the tournament being won with the last stone of the last end. It was really exciting and no tournament organisers could have asked for more.

“We will be attracting the same calibre of players next year and some of the teams who couldn’t come to this tournament have been in touch expressing an interesting in competing in the 2009 Glynhill Ladies International.”

Braehead’s general manager, Peter Beagley said: “The Glynhill Ladies International was undoubtedly a huge success in terms of the standard of curling and the organisation of the event.

“Hundreds of spectators came to our curling rink over the weekend and they saw an exciting final along with some fine curling from the world’s top ladies’ players.

“We will build on the success of this year’s tournament and I’m sure next year’s will be even bigger and better.”

Kelly Wood’s outfit set up a collision course with their fellow Scots following victories in Section B of the round robin event.

They posted impressive wins over Norway, then over one of the other Scottish teams led by Sharon Stewart and Denmark, blotting their copybook with a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Sweden.

Gail Munro’s team, who were in section D of the competition, showed their intentions with good wins over Germany, over the other Denmark team to take part in the tournament, led by Angelina Jensen, Russia and a win against Gail Loudon’s Scottish team.

Wood’s team continued to make headway, beating Russia in the quarter-final, then a third Scottish team, led by Edith Loudon in the semis, while Munro’s side did likewise with wins over Eve Muirhead’s Scottish side in the last eight, then posting a win over Gillian Howard’s Scots team 7-3 in the last four.

As a result the host nation had two teams in Sunday’s showpiece final- and the fans were guaranteed to see a Scotland team claim the silverware.

In front of a sizeable crowd, Munro held on to beat Wood’s team.

With two steals in the second and third ends and a two on a measure in the fifth end, Gail was in pole position.

However, some great play and a final delicate chip out of a Munro stone gave Wood a three in the sixth and brought her right back in the game.

When Gail wrecked on a guard with her final stone in the seventh end it was all square and all to play for in the final end with the Munro team holding the hammer.

Two fine freezes by Kelly left Gail with a tricky hit and roll for her final stone, which she did perfectly to claim the new Curling Kettle Trophy and her first WCT-E tour title.

Along with lead Annie Laird, Karen Addison and Lyndsay Wilson, Gail maintained an unbeaten record for the competition and collected not only a cheque for £2,500, but also a beautiful silver curling stone necklace from Ailsa Jewellery and a bottle of Chivas Regal with which to celebrate.

Gail was also generous in her praise of her team, the opposition in Kelly Wood and on behalf of all the competitors voiced thanks to everyone for a fabulous inaugural competition.

All in all, the event, which began on Friday and finished on Sunday, was hailed a resounding success by organisers.

One of the tournament officials said: “It was a fantastic weekend and the feedback from the competitors indicates to us how highly they rated the competition.

“Unfortunately our International competitors were all knocked out and we had four Scottish teams in the semis – and obviously two in the final, but everyone here thought the weekend was absolutely marvellous and we will continue to make this an annual event.”