Balbardie star Lorraine Craig emerged Scotland’s top skip in the Home International Series played at Llanelli in Wales but her splendid hat trick of wins couldn’t save the six-rink team from suffering disappointing defeat at the hands of Wales and England.
Read MoreScotland finished in third place with undefeated defending champions England capturing the coveted British Isles Crown for the third time in a row and ahead of the Home Nation by 2 points. The final table reading; England 6 Points + 145 shots; Wales 4 –1; Scotland 2 +36; Ireland – 180.
Scotland launched their campaign with a spectacular 74 shot triumph over Ireland (152-78) with five winning rinks including Lorraine Craig making a flying start to lead 19-2 and returning a 30-7 win over SJ Curran. Scotland then looked to be in the driving seat at 90-70 up against Wales but came under strong fight-back pressure from the Host Nation and in a tension filled climax were outgunned 8-1 on the closing end to be crossed 116-113. Craig and her rink had been an inspirational force to lead 21-10 after 17 ends however did suffer in the late Welsh frenzy reducing their final scoreline to 21-19.
Scotland then lined up against England needing a target win of 25 shots to snatch the title however from 38-38 after eight ends suffered a steady decline that ended in a soul destroying 35 shot defeat (125-90) with only World Champion Julie Forrest and Craig enjoying superiority over the Auld Enemy. Craig completing her highly commendable hat-trick of wins when crossing from 10-5 down to 14-10 the battling to the line and cross it as 21-18 winners over M Coleman. Craig and Co were one of only 4 rinks across the 4 Nations to achieve a 100% record, The table of Scotland skips read;
Craig 3 wins +28 shots; Julie Forrest 2 + 20; Margaret Letham 2 +4: Caroline Brown 1 –4: Stacey McDougall 1 –10; Claire Johnston 1 – 14,