Scotland off to a rocky start at World Championships

Scotland began their World Wheelchair Curling Championship campaign with two losses as they were beaten by Russia and Slovakia.

The championships, which are taking place in Switzerland, see Scotland compete in a round robin with 11 other nations.

Paralympians Hugh Nibloe and Robert McPherson are in the team alongside debutants Charlotte McKenna, Gary Smith and alternate Meggan Dawson-Farrell.

In their first match, Scotland were 5-0 down after four ends against Russia but pulled it back to 5-3 by taking three in the fifth.

However, Russia extended their lead in the sixth and seventh ends to claim a 9-3 victory.

It was a closer encounter in the second match against Slovakia and Scotland led 1-0 after the first end but the scores were soon tied at 2-2 after three.

Slovakia then pushed in front securing a three in the fourth end and although Scotland brought it back to 7-5 in the seventh, they didn’t have enough stones to draw level.