Two powerful performances saw GB Students women claim a brace of wins on the fifth day of action at the FISU Winter World University Games in the team event in Torino.
Opening their day against the USA Laura Watt, Amy Mitchell, Holly Wilkie-Milne and Lisa Davie seized the upper hand with a three at the opening end and while their opponents managed to level the match at 3-3 after five ends, they pulled further clear with a two at the next, before sealing the 8-4 win with a three at the last. 
They then took on Poland in their second game of the day and while they lost out in the pre-match draw shot challenge to concede the hammer and last stone advantage at the opening end, they stole at the first three ends, scoring four in all to generate a commanding lead on their way to a 7-4 win.
“We have had a really good day, both games we were in control the whole time,” said skip Watt.
“It was really nice to have a bit more of a relaxing game, but still really focused on making all the shots and closing things out, which was really important for us today.”
The victories took their run of wins to three in succession and while Watt acknowledged that having lost their first four matches they have no realistic chance of getting to the semi-finals, she and her teammates are looking to finish with a winning record as they head into their last two matches on the final day of round-robin action against hosts Italy and Sweden.
“We think our chances of making the play-offs is over so we are going to go into the last two games representing GB and we are just going to soak it all up while we are still out here,” she said.
“We are really determined to finish the week off with two more wins, a good draw shot and just enjoying ourselves playing together as GB Students here in Turin.”
In the men’s event Arran Thomson. Ross Craik, Kaleb Johnston and Rory Macnair had two close fought encounters, but were squeezed out 4-3 by Switzerland before losing 7-4 to the USA.
GB Students Women’s Team
Laura Watt (University of Highlands and Islands - Perth College UHI)
Amy Mitchell (University of Stirling)
Holly Wilkie-Milne (University of Stirling)
Lisa Davie (The Open University)
Cara Davidson (Edinburgh Napier University)
GB Students Men’s Team
Arran Thomson (The Open University)
Ross Craik (University of Abertay)
Kaleb Johnston (University of Stirling)
Rory Macnair (Edinburgh Napier University)
Fraser Swanston (SRUC)
Head Coach – Nancy Smith
Women’s Coach – Luke Carson
Men’s Coach – Niall Ryder
Schedule:
Wednesday 15 January
GB Men
GB – Korea 3-5
Thursday 16 January
GB Women
GB – Korea 3-6
GB Men
GB – Ukraine 8-6
GB Women
GB – China 7-8
Friday 17 January
GB Men
GB –China 5-6
GB Women
GB – Canada 1-11
GB Men
GB – Norway 3-8
GB Women
GB – Norway 3-6
Saturday 18 January
GB Men
GB – Sweden 5-7
GB Women
GB – Japan 6-3
GB Men
GB – Italy 4-7
Sunday 19 January
GB Women 8-4
GB – USA
GB Men
GB – Switzerland 3-4
GB Women
GB – Poland 7-4
GB Men
GB – USA 4-7
Monday 20 January
GB Women 0800
GB – Italy
GB Men - 1300
GB – Canada
GB Women - 1800
GB – Sweden
Tuesday 21 January
Men Semi Final 1 - 0700
Men Semi Final 2 - 1100
Women Semi Final 1 - 1500
Women Semi Final 2 - 1900
Wednesday 22 January
Women Bronze Medal Game - 1300
Men Bronze Medal Game - 1800
Thursday 23 January
Women Gold Medal Game - 0900
Men Gold Medal Game - 1300
Please click here for results.
Images: Jack Hodgetts
