Semis

The first semi-final was between Team England (Alan MacDougall) and Team Wales (Adrian Meikle), so in addition to a place in the final there was national pride to play for too. The English went ahead early leading 5-1 after 5, however the Welsh struck back with a big three. England made their single in the 7^th and looked to defend their two shot lead in the 8^th. However it was the Welsh that took their chances and Adrian had a draw for two to tie the game. The sweepers nursed it to the button for the extra end. The Welsh placed their guards well early in the extra but when skips came to play the house was open again. Alan was left with an open hit for the game. He held his nerve and made no mistake.

In the other semi-final Lauren Gray, the remaining ladies team in the event, faced the tournament favourites skipped by Ewan MacDonald. It was a tight match at 3-3 after five ends, when Ewan made a draw for two and control of the game. In the 7^th, MacDonald managed to get a stone well guarded on the edge of the four-foot and the girls had only a tricky tap to the button to save one. Lauren executed the shot perfectly. The men tried hard to lift a double on the guards in the 8^th but never quite managed it. A good draw by Lauren with her last showed Ewan only half stone. This proved more than enough and he peeled it out for a place in the final.

For the second time this weekend Scotland will play England for the cup. Will yesterday’s events at Murrayfield be echoed in Aberdeen today?
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