Five slams in the first seven boards really tested who was awake in the seniors' match against leaders France and it was the Scots who were narrowly ahead, but two small swings to the French late on left our seniors trailing by eleven imps and a 13-17 VP defeat. However, after not conceding an imp to Bye, they trounced the 'Auld Enemy' for a 19-11 VP win.
The seniors lie in third place overnight but the chasing pack is close by. Tomorrow they play Bulgaria, Spain and Estonia, with the final match against the Dutch on Saturday morning.
The women started slowly against second-placed Turkey, but a run of fifty-six imps without reply put an end to the match as a competition. A final score of 67-18 imps was sufficient for a maximum to consolidate their mid-table position and probably end Turkey's gold medal aspirations. Unfortunately the team then lost heavily to Greece, almost as if both opponents today were at the opposite end of the table. The difference was that the Greeks made games that the Scots did not, whether by better play or stronger defence I do not know. The match finished 8-22 VP.
The women lie comfortably in ninth place, just in the top half. I know that this was a target for them so they will be keen to retain it tomorrow, when they finish with Ireland and Norway. Both these teams are in the lower half but have the ability to be dangerous if not consistent.
