Awesome Foursome!

England complete quadruple…

After the women’s success at senior and junior level, and the men’s senior team’s triumphant reclamation of the international series, the England junior men’s team powered home with three victories at Llandrindod Wells to ensure that the England sides claimed a clean sweep at this year’s international series events.

Wooden spoon claimants last year, the England side showed a new steel and determination and opened their account with a comfortable, 31 shots victory over Scotland, with Richard Catton’s rink securing a 30-12 win for England over Calum Taggart’s Scottish four.

Meanwhile, Wales, the winners of the series last year, defeated Ireland by 21 shots to kick-start their campaign, even though they only won on two rinks, with Daniel Davies Jnr securing a 30-18 win over Simon Colvin and Mark Thomas beating Robert Allen 33-10.

England ensured it was two wins from two with a 24 shot victory over Ireland in the afternoon session, a 28-15 win for Tristan Morton’s rink proving the catalyst for England’s surge as they won on five rinks, whilst Scotland recovered to comfortably despatch the Welsh team, 130-107, winning on all six rinks but with five very closely fought games, with David Kiltie’s rink’s 29-15 win over Jordan Skinner’s four helping them over the line.

This meant the Welsh had to win by 29 against England to claim the series, and Scotland had to amass a very large shots total to have any chance.

Scotland lost to Ireland, with the game abandoned prematurely due to slippery conditions but after the mandatory number of ends required, with Matthew Crawford’s 20-4 lead over Kevin Wallace’s four proving the highest winner for Ireland.

Thus, the title-decider, which was played on a less slippery surface, saw England shoot out of the blocks, and although Wales got slightly ahead midway, the England side pushed on again and secured an 11 shot victory, with captain Sam Tolchard returning the highest winning card, beating Ross Owen 31-18.