Ross Whyte & Fraser Kingan claimed their first Scottish Junior Title in style in Aberdeen on Sunday 28th of January 2018.
Team Whyte played through the round robin phase of the championship picking up wins with powerful yet controlled performances winning 7 games from 7 to sit clear at the top of the table.
They were then looking to secure a place in the gold medal match in the 1-2 play off with the winner progressing to the final and the loser dropping back to the only semifinal. Team Whyte had only one route in mind and that was another commanding performance over team Kinnear to ensure they got their shot at the Gold medal.
Kinnear bounced back to win the semifinal and set up a third game of the week against team Whyte where the winner would be crowned Scottish Junior Champion.
Team Whyte started strongly and an excellent double takeout by Ross secured a score of three points in the 1st end. A force of one shot followed and they were able to keep Team Kinnear at arms-length and led by a score of 4-1 at halftime.
As the game resumed, Team Kinnear scored one in the sixth end but with a steal of two points that followed in the 7th they swung the momentum in their favour. This was stalled as Team Whyte responded with two points and took back control of the game. After forcing Team Kinnear to a single in the ninth end, skip Ross Whyte made a nose hit in the tenth. With that, the title was sealed and Team Whyte became the 2018 Johnston Carmichael Scottish Curling Junior Champions.
Ross Whyte & Fraser Kingan who progressed up the ranks from Dumfries Ice Bowl Curling Cool Programme will now represent Scotland at the 2018 World Junior Championships in March being hosted on home soil in Aberdeen where the boys will look to continue their good form finishing as the only team undefeated at the championship and worthy winners of the title.
Graham Sloan Curling Development Officer said “Dumfries Juniors are having a fantastic season so far and Ross & Fraser are playing at the highest level and performing week in week out. I am delighted for the two boys as I have watched them develop from school curling to Elite Athletes and I know they will be great ambassadors for team Scotland at the World Juniors. These two boys have travelled thousands of miles to train, practice and compete over the last 10 years and this is a result of their commitment and dedication to their sport. The boys have also had great support from their parent’s, families and friends and this really helps. From all the coaches at Dumfries Ice Bowl we wish you the best of luck at the World Juniors in March”
