Scotland’s women made the perfect start to their LGT World Women’s Championship campaign in Korea when they produced a powerful finish to defeat Canada’s defending champions 8-7.
Rebecca Morrison, Jen Dodds, Sophie Sinclair and Sophie Jackson, who are supported at this event by fifth player Fay Henderson, went into the match knowing they had been given the toughest possible challenge against Rachel Homan’s women who had lost just one match in the entire event when claiming the title a year ago.
They consequently took a relatively relaxed attitude into the encounter, which paid off as they went toe-to-toe with the Canadians, before demonstrating their fighting qualities by scoring a three at the final end to clinch an 8-7 win.
“We went into that match looking at it as a bit of a freebie, knowing that we were up against the defending champs and number one in the World,” said Morrison. 
“It wasn’t a must-win, but to come out with the win is fantastic and we’re delighted.
“Especially with it being our first game, it’s such a strong way to start.”
While Morrison had delivered two perfect shots with her final two stones to register that crucial three at the final end, she said it had been a full team contribution that had given them the opportunity against a team that had crushed Lithuania 13-2 in their own opening match earlier in the day.
“In the last end we weren’t favourites being two down at that end, but Sinc (Sophie Sinclair) made two fabulous shots to set up the end really well,” she explained.
“So, all the way through we could see that the chances were there.
“The two would have been a nice situation, but getting the three was amazing thanks to great calls and great plays.”
As well as the psychological boost of beating the team that has dominated the world women’s game over the past two seasons, Morrison reckoned it had been an ideal opportunity to adjust to conditions in the Uijeongbu Ice Rink.
“It’s really helpful to get a good read on the ice there,” she said.
“That’s the main thing going ahead.
“We’ve got 11 more round-robin games to go, so it’s good to know that we’re making plenty of shots out there.”
The Scots now face Norway and hosts Korea on their second day of action, with the matches starting at midnight and 10am UK time.
Please click here for draw and results.
Watch LIVE games on The Curling Channel.
The following games will be available on the BBC iPlayer:
16 March – Scotland v Korea
17 March – Scotland v Switzerland
19 March – Scotland v Japan
Scotland Team
Rebecca Morrison
Jen Dodds
Sophie Sinclair
Sophie Jackson (skip)
Fay Henderson
Team Coach: Ross Paterson
Olympic Head Coach: Greg Drummond
SCHEDULE:
Saturday 15 March
Scotland – Canada 8-7
Sunday 16 March
12.00 midnight Scotland – Norway
10.00am Scotland – Korea
Monday 17 March
12.00 midnight Scotland – Italy
10.00am Scotland – Switzerland
Tuesday 18 March
5.00am Scotland – Sweden
10.00am Scotland – Lithuania
Wednesday 19 March
5.00am Scotland – USA
10.00am Scotland – Japan
Thursday 20 March
5.00am Scotland – Turkiye
Friday 21 March
12.00 midnight Scotland – Denmark
5.00am Scotland – China
Saturday 22 March
1.00am Qualifiers
7.00am Semi Finals
Sunday 23 March
1.00am Bronze Medal Game
7.00am Gold Medal Game
Images: GD/British Curling
