Wheelchair curling: South Lanakrshire team scoop wheelchair curling prize

Nov 15 2012 by Will Henshaw, Hamilton Advertiser

South Lanarkshire’s wheelchair curling team this week clinched their first trophy – by beating RUSSIA.

At Hamilton Ice Rink, the team skipped by Paul Webster and comprising members from throughout South Lanarkshire took part in the British Wheelchair Curling Championships.

On their way to the final they defeated Team Fleming, also of South Lanarkshire, a Welsh team, English team, and Russia B team in the round robin before disposing of the Great Britain A Team in the semis.

The final against the Russian A team was a pulsating affair with Team Webster winning 8-7 and gaining victory with the final shot.

The sport played on ice by wheelchair users who are unable to play the conventional game. A ‘buddy’ holds their chair steady while players attach an extended cue to the curling stone. These heavy round granite stones are smooth and flat-bottomed, weighing about 44lb. In total 12 teams were competing in the tournament.

Chairman of South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club, David Morgan, was delighted the team secured their first trophy.

He said: “South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club have existed for 11 years now and to win our first trophy is fantastic. To beat the world champions was unbelievable.

“We had about 80 people watching which was a good turnout. It was a tight finish as well which made it exciting.

“It was an open tournament, which is the first time it’s been done that way, so we had teams like Russia who could compete.

“South Lanarkshire is the biggest wheelchair curling club in the world; we get about 20 members turning up every week.”

For more information on South Lanarkshire Wheelchair Curling Club, visit their website at httwp://wheelchaircurling.co.uk/