DAVID MURDOCH’S Scotland team arrive home today as world champions after a tense victory over the title-holders, Canada, on Sunday night.

There were jubilant scenes of celebration from Murdoch, Ewan MacDonald, Warwick Smith, Euan Byers and the fifth man, Peter Smith — as well as the strong Scots element in the crowd of 3,000 — at the Lowell rink in Massachusetts, after the squad beat Canada 7-4.

The successful squad contained most of the Great Britain line-up that finished a disappointing fourth at the Winter Olympics in Turin six weeks ago. There, they reached the semi-finals but were beaten by Finland, the eventual runners up, and then by the United States in the bronze medal play-off.

In Lowell, however, Murdoch’s team appeared to have matured in adversity. They topped the round-robin rankings and they recovered, too, from a rough semi-final against Canada, which they lost 8-2.

However, Scotland took full use of the second chance that the Page play-off system offered them and made their way into their final by beating Norway 6-4.

Murdoch discounted any suggestions that the going or the pressure were easier in the United States that at Turin. The line-ups were similar, including the same Finnish and United States squads. However, the Canada team, under Jean-Michel Menard, was not the same one that won the Olympic title.

“There was obviously less hype here,” Murdoch said. “But we have won a tournament that I have chased all my life. I’m just glad we have done it.”

The title meant a lot to the skip, and he believes that it should mean as much to the sport’s new followers in Britain.

“In the Olympics we were playing for Britain and there was a lot of attention down south,” he said. “I just hope this makes them take notice too.”

Scotland have now won the title four times and taken silver 16 times. On all but two of those occasions, they were beaten in the final by Canada.

“The Canadians are always the benchmark in the world championships,” the Scotland skip added. “But this week we played with a lot of confidence and we were up to that benchmark, if not above it.”

In the final, the Scots attacked the inexperienced team from Quebec from the start. They used their initial last-stone advantage to control the match and went into the last 6-4 ahead.

Menard, with advantage, needed two to force an extra end at the tenth. It was on the cards but his last shot, a double take-out attempt,took out one of his own stones and left the Scots stealing one for the championship and dancing for joy.

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