2025 Atlantic International Challenge - Day Two Report
Following disappointing defeats to Canada, Ireland and USA on day two of the Atlantic International Challenge, Scotland have slipped to second place in both the men’s and women’s standings. Despite losing their only match of day two against Canada, our para squad still maintain first place in their respective table.
Session Four
Scotland commenced day two with a difficult session against host nation Canada, recording only two victories from the seven matches contested across the men’s, women’s and para disciplines.
In the men’s pairs, Darren Gualtieri and Connor Milne faced a challenging match against Cameron Lefresne and Ryan Bester. The Canadians controlled the game from the start, with their superior consistency aiding them to a 6-13 victory. The men’s triples game followed a similar pattern with Ewan Shearer, Gary Prunty and Grant Logan struggling to make an impact and suffering a 5-13 defeat to Erik Galipeau, Rob Law and Greg Wilson.
The women’s pairs saw Scotland’s Beth Riva and Gail Notman battling Emma Boyd and Kelly McKerihen of Canada. While the Scottish duo fought hard, the Canadian pair managed to come out on top, winning 6-9 at the conclusion of the 11 ends. Scotland clinched a much-needed victory in the women’s triples. Lorna Cameron, Natalie McWilliams and Caroline Brown delivered a solid performance to get the better of Baylee van Steijn, Jackie Foster and Jordan Kos 10-6.
Sadly for Scotland, Canada continued its strong showing in the para events, with the Scots securing just one win across the three matches taking place. John Wardrope and Pauline Wilson continued to perform strongly in the physically disabled pairs, overcoming Jean Stairs and Anne Hibberd with a commanding 15-7 victory. In the visually impaired singles, Laura Cluxton lost out to Louise McLean in a nail-biting tie break. The final match of the session also went the way of the Canadians, with Garry Brown, Ross Noble and Stuart Stevens coming up short 7-11 against Dave Ruckman, Jack Smart and Andy Caldwell.
Session Four Scores:
- Men’s Pairs – Darren Gualtieri & Connor Milne lost to Cameron Lefresne & Ryan Bester 6-13
- Men’s Triples – Ewan Shearer, Gary Prunty & Grant Logan lost to Erik Galipeau, Rob Law & Greg Wilson 5-13
- Women’s Pairs – Beth Riva & Gail Notman lost to Emma Boyd & Kelly McKerihen 6-9
- Women’s Triples – Lorna Cameron, Natalie McWilliams & Caroline Brown beat Baylee van Steijn, Jackie Foster & Jordan Kos 10-6
SCOTLAND 3 – CANADA 9
- Para Visually Impaired Singles – Laura Cluxton lost to Louise McLean 1-2 (9-3, 5-8 & 0-2)
- Para Physically Disabled Pairs – John Wardrope & Pauline Wilson beat Jean Stairs & Anne Hibberd 15-7
- Para Physically Disabled & Visually Impaired Triples – Garry Brown, Ross Noble & Stuart Stevens lost to Dave Ruckman, Jack Smart & Andy Caldwell 7-11
SCOTLAND 3 – CANADA 6
Session Five
The second session of the day didn’t get any easier for the Scottish team with our men and women picking up only one win from their four matches against Ireland. Meanwhile, our para squad had completed all their respective games for day two.
Darren Gualtieri and Gary Prunty faced a determined Ireland duo of Ryan McElroy and Mark Wilson in the men’s pairs. Despite some impressive shots, Scotland were unable to get a foothold in the match, eventually losing 7-14. The men’s triples was a much closer affair, with Ewan Shearer, James Hogg and Grant Logan taking on the Irish trio of Mark Foster, Ian McClure and Shane Leonard. Both sides exchanged shots throughout the contest, but Ireland done enough to hold on to win by a single shot.
In the women’s pairs, Dee Hoggan and Gail Notman chalked up Scotland’s only victory of the session with an impressive display. The Scottish pairing combined well to beat Ireland’s sibling duo of Rachel Cochrane and Hannah Cochrane 10-5. Lorna Cameron, Natalie McWilliams and Caroline Brown put up a great fight in the women’s triples but agonisingly lost out 7-8 at the last end to Lara Reaney, Chloe Wilson and Sarah Kelly.
Session Five Scores:
- Men’s Pairs – Darren Gualtieri & Gary Prunty lost to Ryan McElroy & Mark Wilson 7-14
- Men’s Triples – Ewan Shearer, James Hogg & Grant Logan lost to Mark Foster, Ian McClure & Shane Leonard 8-9
- Women’s Pairs – Dee Hoggan & Gail Notman beat Rachel Cochrane & Hannah Cochrane 10-5
- Women’s Triples – Lorna Cameron, Natalie McWilliams & Caroline Brown lost to Lara Reaney, Chloe Wilson & Sarah Kelly 7-8
SCOTLAND 3 – IRELAND 9
Session Six
Scotland rounded off day two with a disappointing 3-9 defeat at the hands of USA.
Ewan Shearer and Grant Logan faced off against the American duo of Tom Richeson and Chris Dodd in the men’s pairs. The match was tightly contested and despite some good bowls from Shearer and Logan, the American pair produced some key shots in decisive moments to secure a 6-10 victory. James Hogg, Gary Prunty and Connor Milne picked up an important win for Scotland in the men’s triples over Daniel Gorelick, Corey Vose and Peter Ritchie. The Scottish trio trailed 6-8 going into the last end but following two perfect deliveries from skip Connor, the Scots scored the three shots they required to win the game.
Dee Hoggan and Gail Notman faced the determined USA pairing of Rachel Marcuson and Dee McSparran. Scotland fought hard with results not quite falling in their favour, eventually losing out 7-11. Lorna Cameron, Beth Riva and Natalie McWilliams lined up for Scotland in the women’s triples this session and took on Janice Bell, Joanne Hedgespeth and Anne Nunes of the USA. There was nothing to separate either team for the majority of the contest, but it was the Americans who brought home a narrow victory at the conclusion of the match.
Session Six Scores:
- Men’s Pairs – Ewan Shearer & Grant Logan lost to Tom Richeson & Chris Dodd 6-10
- Men’s Triples – James Hogg, Gary Prunty & Connor Milne beat Daniel Gorelick, Corey Vose & Peter Ritchie 9-8
- Women’s Pairs – Dee Hoggan & Gail Notman lost to Rachel Marcuson & Dee McSparran 7-11
- Women’s Triples – Lorna Cameron, Beth Riva & Natalie McWilliams lost to Janice Bell, Joanne Hedgespeth & Anne Nunes 7-8
SCOTLAND 3 – USA 9