Dumfries and Galloway curlers win European Championship for fourth time

Dumfries and Galloway’s curlers are European champions for the fourth successive time.

Bruce Mouat’s rink, which features Kirkgunzeon’s Grant Hardie and Stranraer duo Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, claimed the title in dramatic circumstances against Sweden on Saturday.

And their latest success was extra special as it came on Scottish soil.

Mouta’s team, who are the reigning world champions, qualified for the final in Aberdeen after beating Switzerland 7-4 in the last four on Friday.

The Scots scored a two in the first end in Saturday’s final before the rink of Sweden’s Niklas Eden responded in similar fashion.

A tight affair continued, the sides tied at 3-3 at the break and at 4-4 after eight ends.

Scotland led 5-4 going into the ninth end before Sweden scored a single to take an extra end.

And Mouat made no mistake with his final draw against three Swedish counters to pick up a single and add the 2023 European title to make it four wins in a row.

Afterwards, the Scottish skip said: “I’m over the moon. Starting with hammer and keeping our noses in front made the difference, I think.

“This one is extra special because it’s in Scotland. Just having family and friends here who don’t normally get to see me curl live. So yes, it’s a wee bit emotional, but absolutely buzzing.”

Vice skip Hardie added: Coming in to the event we maybe weren’t playing our best, we had two poor events out in Canada, so to come here and return to top form is great.

“We are wanting to stay at the top of the game, get back to the top of the world rankings as well so that is probably the next goal before the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, it was a frustrating tournament for Sophie Jackson of Dumfries.

She was part of Rebecca Morrison’s rink