Glen Muirhead against Hammy McMillan. The top juniors against the wisest of the old foxes. Hammy and team already through to the last four, but Glen needing the win in this second to last round of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship tonight. It was thrilling stuff!
Here's Sandy Gilmour and Ross Paterson working hard.
And the McMillan team. Glen played a great hit to pick up two in the ninth, and Hammy drew for a single to tie in the tenth. The game went to an extra end. Glen drew to the four foot for his win. Team Muirhead = six wins. McMillan, the same record.In other games, the battle of the Davids, Murdoch and Smith, both on six wins and definitely qualified for the last four, went the way of Smith whose team was three up coming home. Smith goes to seven wins, top of the pile, Murdoch stays on six, with just the one round remaining to play.
Tom Brewster against Pete Loudon could not have been tighter. Tied 6-6 coming home, Brewster with the hammer. Tom was perfect with his last stone takeout to give his team the win, and a record of four wins.
Scott Hamilton beat Sandy Reid to move to four wins, the same as Brewster, and stay in with the slimmest of chances of qualifying, see below.
Neil Joss beat Graeme Black in the battle between the two teams in ninth and tenth positions.
Standings after eight rounds:
Warwick Smith 7
Hammy McMillan 6
Glen Muirhead 6
David Murdoch 6
Tom Brewster 4
Scott Hamilton 4
Peter Loudon 3
Neil Joss 2
Sandy Reid 2
Graeme Black 0
So it's all over - we have our top four for March 5-7. Well, sort of. The problem - if I can call it that - is that if Glen and his team were to win the Scottish Junior Championship next week in Aberdeen, then they could not compete in the Bruadar final weekend, and the fifth place team would be invited. Who will be fifth will be decided tomorrow, as will the rankings for positions 1-4. Who will finish in the Page 1-2, and who in the Page 3-4. The draw for the ninth round is here. It's your bet!
Pics by Bob
