Dumfries and Galloway Curlers help Scotland secure double success at European Championships

Dumfries and Galloway curlers helped Scotland secure a double gold medal weekend at the European Championships in
Norway.

Kirkgunzeon’s Grant Hardie, Stranraer duo Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie and alternate Ross Whyte, of Dumfries, secured the top prize in the men’s tournament in Bruce Mouat’s unbeaten rink — while Dumfries-born Vicky Wright was pivotal in Eve Muirhead’s gold medal performance in Lillehammer.

British Curling’s Olympic head coach David Murdoch watched over both finals.

The men had a resounding 8-5 win against Norway in Friday’s semi-final to set up the clash with Sweden for the gold medal on Saturday evening.

The back and forth final was 2-2 after three ends but Team Mouat scored two points in ends four and five to take a stranglehold on the title.

The Swedes hit back with a double of their own in the sixth but Scotland were 8-4 up heading into the ninth.

Sweden snatched a point but conceded the match with the score at 8-5 and only one end to play.

Scotland were unbeaten throughout the tournament and Skip Bruce said: “What a week we’ve had.

“I’m just really proud of everyone who’s put in all the work. I’m going to enjoy this one.

“We didn’t really put any pressure on them at the start of the game. And that’s what we said after the third end.

“ We managed to get a break, and they don’t always come, so we’ll take it.”

Team Muirhead reached the final losing just one group stage match.

They beat Germany 7-4 in Thursday’s semi-final which set up another Scotland vs Sweden final on Saturday morning.

Muirhead’s rink were 3-2 up after seven ends but finished strongly to secure their gold medal.

A brace in the eighth end was matched by the Swedes to make it 5-4 going into the tense tenth end.

But Scotland secured another double to win 7-4.

Muirhead said: “It’s been a roller-coaster but it’s shown that all the work we’ve done has worked. I’m so proud of Hailey Duff – first Europeans, first international ladies’ event. Mili Smith as well – first Europeans.

“For these girls this is really special and I’d like to think that they’re going to go on to even better things.

“ I’ve already got two European titles under my belt – having a third is amazing – but for these guys it’s always so nice to get your first.”