Leslie Ingram-Brown reports from Sweden:In their third game of the World Junior Curling Championships in Oestersund, Scotland's women had the hammer and kicked the game off with a two at the first end as Hannah drew for a second. Sweden blanked the second end and drew for a two in the third to tie the score 2-2.
In the fourth and fifth ends the teams exchanged singles and at the half game break the scores were tied 3-3.
In the sixth, with the Scots lying well, Sweden was forced into a hit with last stone and with the shooter running out Fleming picked up a pair. But the seventh was a disastrous end with Sweden having a hit for four with the last stone and a 7-5 lead.
Fleming had a chance of a two in the eighth with a perfect hit but only counted one. Sweden blanked nine and in the tenth Sara McManus was wide against two, leaving Scotland lying a peeled game. It was into the extra end.
With skips' last stones to come Sweden lay two shots. Fleming drew on her in-turn to lie shot. McManus opted to play the out-turn but was heavy. It was game to Scotland 8-7.
It was a much better performance by the girls and sets them up for tomorrow morning when they play the USA. Russia is now the only unbeaten team in the Women's Championship having beaten Italy 11-9.
RESULTS: Russia 11 Italy 9; Canada 10 Norway 3; Switzerland 6 Czech Republic 5; Japan 7 USA 4; Scotland 8 Sweden 7 (Extra end).
The official website is here.
Lauren Gray
Alice Spence
Abi BrownPhotos are © Leslie Ingram-Brown. Top: Sara McManus and Hannah Fleming.
