After suffering their first setback of the event with an agonising defeat to Switzerland, England responded brilliantly to end the USA’s unbeaten run and claim a share of second spot at the end of the second day of action at the World Wheelchair B Championships in Finland.
Never behind in the course of the scheduled eight ends of their first match of the day, they were taken into extra time when the Swiss levelled the scores for the third time at 4-4 and with the pressure building they ran out of time to play their final stone.
Having won both their matches on the opening day against Poland and Finland, it was a disappointing way for Stewart Pimblett, George Potts, Julian Mattison, Karen Aspey and Jason Kean to lose their unbeaten record, but that only made their performance against the USA all the more impressive as they took control with a steal of three at the fourth end and never relinquished that advantage in running out 6-3 winners.
It was a reaction which drew praise from Team England’s Coach Tony Lenton. 
“They actually did well to get the game to an extra end against Switzerland and they then bounced back in their second game against USA one of two teams that had been sitting on three out of three wins, so they now have one loss like us and head to head records at the end of this week will be vitally important so it was a good win.
“I am a hard task master as a coach and it is early days yet, but overall I am happy with three wins from four.
“The players recognise the importance of this event and I think they are starting to quash the nerves and are bedding in and settling into the championship which is good. They know what is at stake.”
Lenton believes his squad is demonstrating the benefit of the hard work they have put in over the last year, but also expressed gratitude for the support that has allowed them to do so.
“Overall I am pleased with the progress this week,” he said.
“It is hard for a small squad to prepare for a cut throat qualifying event like this one, but we have five players who have had to work very hard for the last 12 months to get ready for this and I feel like we are the best prepared we could be coming in to Finland this week.
“We just wouldn’t be here without the support from Sport England and also the support and training with British Curling.
“They have given us this chance to qualify for the Worlds next year and the team knows that this is a long week.
“Tomorrow we face a new team from Hong Kong and we have to respect the new teams along with all the other teams here otherwise you can get caught out, so we will be cautious and also ready for what tomorrow brings.”
A top three finish this week brings with it the reward of playing at this season’s World Wheelchair Championships in Stevenston, Scotland.
England Team
Stewart Pimblett
George Potts
Julian Mattison
Karen Aspey
Jason Kean
Tony Lenton – England Coach
Rosemary Lenton – England Assistant Coach
Sheila Swan – British Curling Paralympic Head Coach
Results:
Day One
England – Poland 10-1
England – Finland 7-4
Day Two
England – Switzerland L/W
England – USA 6-3
Day Three
England – Hong Kong - China
England – Japan
Please click here for results.
Images: PPA/Graeme Hart
