As thousands of football fans were snoozing through another boring 0-0 draw, the travelling Welsh curling fans were treated to a tense back and forth affair as Wales and France squared off in their opening matches of the European Curling Championships.
Despite controlling the first two ends, the Welshmen couldn't quite find the touch they needed and found themselves down 2-0 going into the third end.
In a reversal of fortunes, France took control of the third end and were poised to pick up a third consecutive steal until James Pougher, playing third, made an inch perfect hit and roll to completely turn the end around. An open hit for skip, Adrian Meikle, led to three going on the board for Wales.
After a blank in the fourth, the two teams took singles with the hammer until the eighth end where, again, Pougher showed off his impressive hitting skills, making a difficult double to set up a deuce and a 6-4 Wales lead. France blanked the ninth, leading to an exciting, back and forth tenth end.
In the tenth, Wales elected to keep it clean but France still managed to set up a difficult final shot for Meikle. He managed to squeeze one French stone out of the rings, leaving an open draw for two for the French skip. With the simple shot made, the two teams headed to an extra end.
As the incredible Welsh contingent in the crowd looked on, a tense 11th end ensued. Although a relatively open end, the French managed to set up a guard just off the centre line, partially covering their stone at the back of the four foot. Pougher, as he had throughout the game, played a perfect shot and removed both French stones. The rest of the end was simple for the dragon men. Meikle had an open draw to an empty house for the win and he made no mistake, sliding into the eight foot for the win.
Up next: Wales take on a highly fancied Czech Republic team Sunday morning at 8:00. The Czech Republic were relegated from the A division last year and are looking to go straight back up this season. Led by skip Karel Kubeska, the team recently won the Edinburgh International, defeating reigning world silver medalist, Rasmus Stjerne, in the semi-final. There's no doubt the Welsh will be in tough against such experienced competition, but they will take heart from today's victory and come out fighting tomorrow.
Wales win thrilling European Opener
As thousands of football fans were snoozing through another boring 0-0 draw, the travelling Welsh curling fans were treated to a tense back and forth affair as Wales and France squared off in their opening matches of the European Curling Championships.
Despite controlling the first two ends, the Welshmen couldn't quite find the touch they needed and found themselves down 2-0 going into the third end.
In a reversal of fortunes, France took control of the third end and were poised to pick up a third consecutive steal until James Pougher, playing third, made an inch perfect hit and roll to completely turn the end around. An open hit for skip, Adrian Meikle, led to three going on the board for Wales.
After a blank in the fourth, the two teams took singles with the hammer until the eighth end where, again, Pougher showed off his impressive hitting skills, making a difficult double to set up a deuce and a 6-4 Wales lead. France blanked the ninth, leading to an exciting, back and forth tenth end.
In the tenth, Wales elected to keep it clean but France still managed to set up a difficult final shot for Meikle. He managed to squeeze one French stone out of the rings, leaving an open draw for two for the French skip. With the simple shot made, the two teams headed to an extra end.
As the incredible Welsh contingent in the crowd looked on, a tense 11th end ensued. Although a relatively open end, the French managed to set up a guard just off the centre line, partially covering their stone at the back of the four foot. Pougher, as he had throughout the game, played a perfect shot and removed both French stones. The rest of the end was simple for the dragon men. Meikle had an open draw to an empty house for the win and he made no mistake, sliding into the eight foot for the win.
Up next: Wales take on a highly fancied Czech Republic team Sunday morning at 8:00. The Czech Republic were relegated from the A division last year and are looking to go straight back up this season. Led by skip Karel Kubeska, the team recently won the Edinburgh International, defeating reigning world silver medalist, Rasmus Stjerne, in the semi-final. There's no doubt the Welsh will be in tough against such experienced competition, but they will take heart from today's victory and come out fighting tomorrow.