Team Whyte wins the GSOC Players Championship.
Where do I start with this one, an all-Scottish final, and not involving world number 1, Team Mouat. It was Team Whyte who faced Team Waddell in the final of the Players championship in Steinbach, Manitoba.
Scottish dominance on the men’s circuit has just skyrocketed even more.
Team Waddell would go down 6-3 in the final against Team Whyte, but a perfect tournament until this point has firmly placed this new team Waddell up amongst the best in world.
Waddell beat Whyte in the round robin along with other big names Matt Dunstone and Mike McEwan and Olympic teams, Joel Retornaz and Brad Jacobs. Qualifying directly to the semi-finals, Kyle came up against the Chinese in a close battle that came down to the last stone. Kyle whistle passed his top stone to pick out the Chinese sitting back button. A double check to the final shot stone from the Chinese confirmed that Waddell was heading to the final.
Ross would take the slightly longer route through the quarter finals, coming through the round robin 3-2. Ross was met by veteran John Shuster.
The sleeveless Americans couldn’t quite muster skills and shot making to take down team Whyte. And a victorious team Whyte advanced after seeing them off 6-4.
A second close semifinal, the Whyte boys came up against Team Schwaller. Much like the Waddell semi-final it came down to the wire and the Swiss last stone over curled leaving Ross shot stone with a stone spare. Final score 5-4 Whyte.
For the second time in grand slam history, it was two Scottish teams in the final. The last being 2018, Ross Patterson verses Bruce Mouat. Part of the Patterson rink back then was also Kyle Waddell.
This time Kyle would skip the team and be faced with also coming up against former teammate and brother Craig Waddell. Craig having moved teams earlier in the season for the injured Duncan McFadzean.
Waddell begun the game with hammer and pressure from the Whyte team had Kyle facing one in the house. With the new single blank rule, Kyle chose to go for his single. A heavy draw pushes the stone back 4 giving up the steal of 1.
Getting his single back in the second end after drawing the button it was all square after 2 ends.
Some precise shooting from the Whyte team kept pressure on team Waddell forcing a big shot to keep avoid a multiple score but stuffing on back stone, Ross drew for a 2 in the 3rd.
Again, Team Whyte piled on the pressure, team Waddell not quite playing as well as they had been throughout the week the game begun fall in Whyte’s favour. Another steal of 1, it was 4-1 at the halfway point.
Not down and out, Kyle plays a delicate pick and hangs around for his 2 points, trailing by 1 after 5 ends.
The 6th ends a little different a few rocks in play and a couple missed shots from Team Whyte, an opportunity for Kyle to force a single. A difficult shot, that needed to curl an inch more to sit shot stone. It was a draw to the 8 foot for another two for Ross.
A blank in 7, Kyle had hammer in end 8 and was looking for at least three the keep this game going into an extra end.
A big clean up shot from Robin Brydone, on his 2nd stone, opens up the house and leaves no guards making Kyles life a little difficult from this point with not a lot left.
Ross was faced with a double to close off the game and run Kyle out of stones. Without any question, shot made and it was handshakes and big celebrations as Team Whyte secure their second Grand slam of curling title, Craig’s first.
A fantastic game of curling, demonstrating Scotland’s talent and depth. It comes with no surprise that the all-star team of the week was made up of three Scots, Ross Whyte, Craig Waddell and Blair Haswell.
Well done to both teams involved. Exciting times for Scottish curling. Team Waddell now chasing the heels of Team Whyte, will be pushing themselves for a chance at selection for the worlds in April.
Team Mouat not quite playing their best this week and were knocked out in the tie breaker game against John Shuster. The team will return home now for some rest and training before departing for Cortina at the end of the month.
Team Waddell and Whyte will return home for a few days rest before heading up the road to Perth for the Masters.
Perth Masters
This week from the 15th through to the 18th the Dewars centre will host the annual Masters event.
Many Scottish team are involved in both the men’s and women’s side. Including both GSOC finalists team Waddell and team Whyte.
Scottish Junior champions Team Carson return looking to hold on to the title secured at last year’s event.
Other names include the likes of the Muirhead brothers, Bryce and a long-awaited return for Team Craik, with brother Ross filling in for the injured Rory McNair.
Many international teams are making the journey such as sides from Norway, China, Japan, the Netherlands, Italy and the list goes on in the 20 strong field.
All 4 female British curling teams will line up over the weekend in a 10-team field.
Round robin games begin on Thursday evening, with the quarter finals being played Saturday evening before semi-finals and final on Sunday.
This event will be free entry and is always a great event to watch from up in the viewing gallery so get yourself along to watch some great curling.
(Live streaming information pending)
For more information on the draw and schedule you can visit the Perth Masters website or their social media pages for updates throughout the event.
GoFibre Scottish Seniors
The much-anticipated GoFibre Scottish seniors’ championships will kick off on Wednesday 14th up at Curl Forfar. Veterans and legends aplenty make up the fields; Tom Brewster will hope to get himself a second chance at going for World Gold in Geneva. Can Jackie Lockhart make it a double and etch her name once again into the history books.
RCCC president Keith Prentice and his border rink will do their best to challenge for the top spot or can one of the home teams take advantage of the familiar ice? Or maybe will we see a return of Hammy McMillan Snr. to the world stage.
4 women’s teams will be out to topple Jackie; can Team Kennedy make the plane to Switzerland? Or will the Murrayfield rink head to the continent?
For the full draw and scores across the weekend check out the Scottish curling website or Forfar indoor sports social media pages.
Juniors
This past weekend the Asham U14s slam circuit were set up at Kinross.
It was magnificent 7 in the finals of both the Low and the High Road. Both finals finishing 7-0. Team Asham winning the high road final against Stranraer 1 and Team AFTA winning against Team Beggs in the Low Road final.
Team Asham will take a big lead in the table after their second win of the slam circuit. While team Lamb and AFTA both on 20 points in second place.
For full results from Saturday’s event check out the Scottish curling website.
This weekend the U21s head up to Aberdeen for the rearranged slam from earlier in the month. The last leg of the circuit for the season and home side Brewster are leading the way, ahead of Thomson by 2 points.
Tia Laurie and her team top the table in the girl’s side with the Archibald girls 8 points behind. Team Laurie playing at Perth Masters this weekend, Archibald will have the chance to leapfrog them and secure the U21s title.
For the full draw, playing schedule and results and update across the weekend check out the Scottish curling website for the event.
Wheelchair
Our Team GB wheelchair curlers made their way across the pond last week and are currently sitting 2nd in the standings.
Out in Leduc, Alberta, 8 wheelchair teams, 6 Canadians, an American team and our Olympic representatives are playing single round robin tournament.
Starting on Sunday past, Hugh Nibloe and his squad have two games left to play before a championship final game. Currently sitting 4-1, they have yet to play top of the table Canada Red and 4th place, team Calgary.
Keep up to date with the remaining games through the CurlingZone website.
Wherever you may be playing this weekend, good luck and good curling!
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