School’s Curling: Milroy aims to build on thrill of final clash with Muirhead

IT’S BEEN a whirlwind period for Jodie Milroy, and the young curler hopes her success continues when she lines up for Douglas Ewart High School at the Scottish Schools’ Championships at Murrayfield on 16-18 March.

Last week, the 17-year-old was a member of Gail Munro’s quartet that reached the final of the Scottish Championship. In the final screened on BBC television, the team lost to the rink led by European champion Eve Muirhead.

The Newton Stewart teenager is still buzzing from the experience. “I couldn’t believe it when Gail phoned me and asked if I wanted to play in the Scottish Championships,” she admitted. “The first time we practised together was the Monday of Championship week so to reach the final was totally unreal.

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“Before the final I was terrified. I’d only watched Eve play on television and suddenly I was paying against her for the Scottish Championship. I still can’t believe it happened.”

The Douglas Ewart team is skippered by 17-year-old Gregor Cannon and Jodie is joined by another two girls – Gregor’s 15-year-old sister, Jenni, and Rachel Mills. “All-boys teams probably have an advantage in that they have more weight on the shots and can take out three stones at a time. But it depends on how you play the game and I’d like to think we have a great chance,” said Jodie.

 “The other three have all played in the finals of the Scottish Junior Championships and I’m hoping my experience last week will also help.

 “The school has been really good. They pay our expenses and have given us tops especially for the finals. It is one of the biggest events of the year.” Qualifying events have already been held all over the country and the first stage of finals is a round robin section. Douglas Ewart High School face Geroge Heriot’s, Dumfries Academy, Dollar Academy and a team still to qualify from the Perth area. 

An all-boys Arbroath High School team won the title last – but this year’s line-up finished second to Webster’s High School at the qualifying stage.

The only all-girls team in the finals is from Mary Erskine’s and comprises Naomi Brown, Karina Aitken, Sarah Morris and Kirstin Munro.