Faced with what is traditionally the toughest test in the sport, Scotland’s Team Carson made a superb start to their World Junior Curling Championships bid when they defeated Canada 7-2 with an end to spare in Fussen, Germany.
The quartet of teenagers – Orrin Carson (17), Charlie Gibb (15), Archie Hyslop (15) and Logan Carson (15) – were not only up against the nation that has medalled in 40 of the previous 47 men’s events at the World Juniors, 21 of those gold, but much more experienced opponents skipped by 21-year-old Landan Rooney.
However, they looked completely unfazed by the scale of the challenge as they won the pre-match draw shot challenge to secure the hammer at the opening end, which they blanked before registering a two at the second, then forcing their opponents at the third end. 
From that point they maintained the upper hand throughout, never allowing their opponents to draw level and driving their advantage home with a steal of two at the eighth end and another steal at the ninth which drew the concession.
“With this being our first World Juniors, playing Canada in the first game made it an even more special occasion, so to come through with the win means a lot and we can’t wait for the next match,” said skip Orrin Carson.
“We made a really good start, played a really good first half of the game and it could have been an even bigger lead at the midway break.
“From end four onwards we really felt in control. They were always chasing and we could have had the game done earlier, but we’ll take that and move on to the next one.
“We stole a two at the eighth end. It could have been more and we probably could have killed the game at that end, but we managed to see it out at the ninth.”
They now face a different test on the second day of competition with a two-match day and Carson acknowledged that they will be asked further questions by that.
“We know that a two game day will be a lot more challenging,” he said.
“We’ve played the Italians before and know what they’re about, but Turkiye will be a new challenge which we look forward to.” 
It was a two game day that confronted Scotland’s women – Fay Henderson, Robyn Munro, Holly Wilkie-Milne and Laura Watt - as they got their campaign underway and they made an ideal start.
They had the upper hand against Germany from the outset, earning the hammer, blanking the opening end, then scoring two at the second and they maintained it throughout on their way to a 7-5 win.
Their second match against Latvia was a much tenser encounter, however, as their opponents got out of the blocks quicker this time around to lead 3-0 after three ends.
The Scots responded well to level by the midway break, but were never able to get ahead until the final end where Henderson’s take-out with her last stone left opposite number Evelina Barone having to draw into the four foot to take the win and when her attempt proved too heavy, they claimed a three to clinch an 8-5 win.
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LIVE streamed games are available on Recast's The Curling Channel.
Scotland women
Fay Henderson
Robyn Munro
Holly Wilkie-Milne
Laura Watt
Amy Mitchell (Alternate)
Colin Morrison (Team Coach)
David Aitken (Head Coach)
Scotland men
Orrin Carson
Logan Carson
Archie Hyslop
Charlie Gibb
Scott Hyslop (Alternate)
Ryan Carson (Team Coach)
David Aitken (Head Coach)
Images: WCF/Stephen Fisher & Alina Pavlyuchik.
#curling #wjcc2023
Results
Day One – Saturday 25 February
Scotland women
Scotland – Germany 7-5
Scotland men
Scotland – Canada 7-2
Scotland women
Scotland – Latvia 8-5
Day Two – Sunday 26 February
Scotland men
Scotland – Turkiye
Scotland women
Scotland – Japan
Scotland men
Scotland – Italy
