🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲

CHRISTMAS BONSPIEL 2019

There were four teams playing three games over two ends and one winner! 

Oh and we mustn’t forget our Secretary and her Little Helper who did all the organising and running around, then sat out the games which was a generous gesture. 

Plenty of Christmas jumpers on show, some festive hats and some sparkling lights too. 
A great night of fun curling and some close matches to boot. There was certainly a holiday feel to the Bonspiel but no less competitive all the same. Just like the autumn league it came down to the last stone of the last leg to decide the winners........Mara, Campbell, David and Jennifer 🏆🍾

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Well done to all those who took part. 

The games were followed by a lovely meal, mince pies, the awarding of prizes and choosing secret Santas.  Our thanks go to Margaret for putting everything together beforehand and on the night, to Richard for helping and doing as he was told, President Paxton for his vote of thanks and Mara in  thanking everyone for a successful and exciting Autumn League.......and of course our Treasurer Mike who found enough in the coffers to give all participants a drink with their meal. 

Now I don’t normally do requests but I’ve been asked to report the event “well” and as it’s Christmas here goes.......Campbell was BRILLANT! What ever position you put him in, simply brilliant. What more can be said? He was brilliant!👍 No prizes for guessing who made the request 🎅

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A GUID NEW YEAR YIN AND AW

SEE YOU ALL IN 2020 FOR THE SPRING LEAGUE 

🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲

The Results Are In

Now then Folks, I know some of the columns on the results spreadsheet are about as straight as a stroll home after a ceilidh but I’m working on that look. 

Meantime I hope they don’t look too dreadful. I’m sure that no matter the layout, they look better to some than others 😮🥌🥌

3rd December - The Decider!

There was an air of anticipation as the teams gathered for a late night climax to the Winter League. Everything to play for but there could only one team crowned champions at the end of the night.

Let’s start at Rink 6 where Mara has to negotiate past Alison If her rink was to triumph. After a quick start and 4-0 up after two, Alison pegged Mara back to 4-2 in the third. Undaunted, Mara cantered off with a five, which included a measure, just to add to the tension. At 9-2 after four ends it was fair to say she had control of the match and wasn’t likely to let a lead like that disappear.

So let’s pop over to rink 5 because anything could happen here. On an ends and shots basis Margaret has the biggest hill to climb if she was to take the title but a big win against Bill and if Mara faltered.......

Well it was Bill who made the best start, a two and a pair of singles against Margaret’s one put him 4-1 up after four ends. Everything was falling in to place. No matter what happens on Rink 6 he was in charge of his own destiny.

Into the fifth and Mara took a one. 10-2 she thought, that’ll do, way to canny to let this one slip. Meanwhile Margaret shook Bill with a three, the deficit was one. It wasn’t likely to be a high enough scoring game for her to take the title but Margaret could certainly spoil Bill’s night.

End six and Alison pops in a two, Mara was unfazed, she could see the finishing line and could afford to cruise. It was Margaret who took the blow of two from Bill, another cushion with two ends left, this was going to the wire.

Well despite Steve taking a tumble and almost heading a stone into the house ( thankfully he was ok) Alison took a single in the seventh and the teams shook at 10-5 to Mara. That was it. She could do no more. And then it got really interesting...........

Margaret, now trailing by three was not giving up the fight and with the last stone of the end slowly drawing down the ice and coming to a halt, the bell sounded. Margaret had taken a three! The game was peeled in the seventh.

But wait a minute, all is not done here, too much at stake. Call the TMO. Had the stone stopped before the bell, or after the bell? Could there be an eight end decider? The Skips discussed, much muttering from the sidelines and then it was agreed. An eighth end to decide the league champions. Margaret knew it wouldn’t be her but could she thwart Bill right at the last.

It was a tight end and with the last stone being thrown by Bill he needed a draw in to dislodge Margaret, who was lying two. A good effort dislodged one stone but not enough to do the damage. And that was it. Margaret won 7-6 and Mara won the league.

The winning Skip did provide a quote for this piece but I’ve forgotten it 😜 so all that’s left to say is

                                 CONGRATULATIONS TO MARA’s TEAM 🏆🥌🏆

26th November Results

With the league leader not playing this week there was a chance for any one of three to make a bid for glory. Alison was aiming to keep things interesting by pegging back the fast finishing Bill.

Well it didn’t quite go according to plan. It was 2-1 to Bill after two ends but the Ice Gods did not shine on Alison’s team and it has to be said Bill’s team were on it. We’ll not dwell on it, 8-1 to Bill, moving on...........

Margaret ( again in the shape of Mike) got off to a blistering start with a five against Campbell. But the wily silver fox wasn’t phased, calmly chipping away at the score. He brought it back to 5-3 at the end of the fourth. That was enough for Mike, he’d given Campbell a sniff of a chance but carefully crafted three singles to take the game 8-3.

What does that all mean with one game to go?

Alison is confirmed as the strongest Skip in the league.

Campbell has played his games and stays fourth

BUT who will come out on top?

Any one of three with Margaret against Bill and Alison in the way of Mara. It’s going to be tight, an evening not to be missed. In fact even if your not playing, come along and see how things unfold. 

It’s going to be exciting! 

19th November Results

Into the last three matches and it’s still all to play for.

Tonight it was clash of the titans stuff with any one of the four teams going, or staying on top. 

Rink 1 was Mara against Margaret (Mike tonight). Looks like it was a right old ding dong with the lead changing almost every end. Mike got off to a fast start with a 3 but Mara dug in and by the fourth end she was ahead 5-4.

It was two ends apiece by the bell and with Mara having the last stone advantage she took a 3 to win 9-7. Phew! Mara back on top.

Bill and Campbell were hoping to have something to say about that. Having peeled their first match earlier in the league, each was out for victory. This was no less a dogged affair. Trading singles through the match they went into the seventh end. Bill was leading 4-2 but Campbell had the hammer. He took a one and shook hands at 3-4. 

Mara stays top of the table but Bill is making a late run...........

Friendly with Darvel - 14 November

Well Folks this is a bit of a catch up so I apologise for this update being a wee bit late.

We had seven participants against a full two rinks from Darvel which may have something to do with the scores. But hey this was a Friendly match! The scores don’t matter, it’s the bonhomie and camaraderie on the ice, the forging of friendships and the banter. Don’t forget the purvey. There’s always a good meal at the end of the evening 😉

So it was a fun evening which is what is most important. Thanks to Mabel, Steve G, the two Jim’s, Mike, Robin and Bill for representing the club.

What! You really want to know more? OK we were in the top two for both matches. Saying no more 😊

12th November Results

A short update this week folks as I wasn’t Rinkside to get all the lowdown, updates and gossip!😉

On Rink1 Margaret was up against a revised rink with three of Alison’s team unavailable, so Bert was in the role of Skip. Bit of a one sided match going by the scorecard but I’m sure that’s not a reflection of the action on the ice. However it was Alison’s rink who walked off victors at 11-4.

Rink two saw what is developing into a top of the table battle. Campbell got off to. A flying start taking the first two ends and a 5-0 cushion. However by End 4 Mara has cut that lead to two. But with steady singles in the following three ends Campbell took the match 8-3.

The results meant Campbell and Mara swapped places on the Table with the other three Skips holding station...........for now ;-)

Best you come back next week to see what’s changed, whose on top, whose moving and shaking! Still all to play for 😊

5th November Results

Mara and Bill battled it out on Rink 4 with plenty of fireworks in what on paper looks like a runaway victory for Bill at 9-2. An unnamed source said modestly “a stronger team”. Your intrepid reporter was keeping an eye on the match and Mara was in with chances but couldn’t quite get the ice to go in her favour. She might have been glad when the bell went in the seventh end.

On Rink 5 David was standing in for Alison and played a tight tactical game against Campbell. Both teams struggled with the ice (none more than yours truly) and it was 3-3 after four ends. The tactics continued over the next three ends. Campbell had chances to nick a few shots but luck stayed with David who took ones in ends five to seven, coming away with a 6-3 victory.

With Margaret not playing the results meant no changes to the league positions but a condensing of points with Bill catching Campbell. It’s down to Shots and Ends with four games remaining. And now Alison is off the mark.........don’t rule her out! 

Next up, Mara takes on Campbell and Margaret meets Alison, so it could be all change, watch this space!!

Ayr Curling Club Quiz Night

The ACC quiz night was held on 1st November and our club had a good turn out with members represented on four teams.

There were around 100 tickets sold for the evening which was very impressive as was the number of raffle prizes on offer!

A few tricky and maybe even trick questions to get the grey matter going and an occasional “Point of order!” from the floor with plenty of “I knew that!” only after the answers were given.

A huge vote of thanks went to Alison for her organising skills, she hardly had a moment to sit and show her quizzing skills with the amount of running around she had to do.

AND THE WINNERS ARE.............

Yes it was the sextet of Lindsays, Paxtons and Peats who won the quiz, well done to all!  I think it was by one point over a quarter that included Steve Gilles, so a good night for Fullarton. 

Here’s to another fun evening next year and let’s see if Steve can wrestle back his crown 😊

Photographs of 40th Anniversary Celebration

Hope you like these photos to remind us of our 40th Anniversary Dinner.
Sorry Freda wasn't having a good time!!

29th October Results

On rink 2 it was a tight match between Margaret and Bill. Nothing in it after two ends but then Bill started to ease away, building a three shot lead by the fifth end. Margaret fought back in the sixth but Bill maintained a two shot cushion going into the final end. Lying two and with the hammer, Margaret drew in to tap up and take a three, winning the match 7-6.

Over in rink 3 it was a different story. After three ends it was all square at 2-2. Then Mara’s team put the foot down taking a two, three then four in the next three ends. Alison’s team tried to fight back in the seventh but as the bell rang and the prospect of a big end faded, they took a one and ended the game at 3-11.

So all change at the top of the league. With Campbell not playing both Mara and Margaret took advantage to move ahead on points, Mara edging into first place on shots and ends. Campbell dropped to third and Bill lies in fourth. Alison is still the strongest Skip in the league, propping up the rest. With five games to go, it’s all to play for!

40th Anniversary Dinner

The Club had an excellent evening at Troon Welbeck Golf Club to celebrate our 40th Anniversary.
President Jim Paxton welcomed everyone and Mike McNeill toasted the Club with a brief history of Fullarton Curling Club. We had a super meal, followed by Douglas Dodds (past president) and Dave Pittam playing their ukuleles and singing some suitable curling songs.We then went on to play some games of skill  & fun provided by Douglas Dodds. Jim Lindsay and Sheena Dodds were the overall winners. I will try to attach some photos on a separate post.

21st October Results

Campbell Kay's team played to the usual high standard and had an excellent 9-4 win over Margaret's team.
Despite Bill's team being 1 player short he managed a 7-4 win over Alison's team.
We had several players from Disnae Club who made up the teams and we are very grateful to them.

Withdrawal from Day League and Day League KO

Campbell Kay who took on the role of co-ordinating the Day League players for the Club has found it extremely difficult to make up the teams for the Day League. In view of the on-going difficulties in finding sufficient players we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from the Day League and Knock Out. We had 4 team members and 5 reserves at the beginning of the year but holiday commitments, injury etc have made Campbell's job impossible.
Thanks to Campbell for all his efforts.

15th October League Games

The writer of this was not playing but I'm told by Jim Paxton that it was a great night of curling producing really close results. A lot of our team members were unavailable to play and the club was very grateful to several members of Disnae Club in making up our teams.
Campbell's team peeled with Bill's team skipped by Steve Gillies.
Margaret's team skipped by Mike McNeill had a 7-6 win over Mara's team.

Well done everyone and thanks again to all who subbed for the usual team players!

Points Competition 8th October

Robin, Alan, Steve, Mike, Jim, Campbell and Margaret played in the Points Competition.
For some this was their first time playing points but they soon learned to work out the line and the weight without the help of a skip!
With only 7 playing we managed to play 9 of the 10 Points challenges with Margaret being the overall winner and Campbell only 1 point behind.
It was a most enjoyable evening of curling.

1st October League Games

Both matches were really close and played in an excellent competitive manner.
Mara's team skipped by Steve McCreath in her absence had an 8-4 win over Campbell's team skipped by Jim Lindsay. The game was really close until Steve's team had a three at the 7th end.

Margaret's team had a 6-4 win over Alison's 3 man team. (Her sweepers worked really hard!)
Margaret had a 3 point win at the first end and thereafter the game was really close.

Welcome back to the Autumn League 2019
Our teams are slightly varied this year but the committee hope this will lead to enjoyable competitive games of curling.
Our first game of the season saw Campbell's team have an excellent 7-1 win over Alison's team and Mara's team skipped by Steven McCreath had an 8-4 win over Bill's team.
It's early days and there's lots of curling ahead.

We are looking forward to the club's 40th Anniversary Dinner to be held in Welbeck Golf Club on Friday 25th October. This should be an enjoyable social evening as we have 26 attending so far.
Please contact me if you need any information on this.

Closing Bonspiel 2019

We were lucky to have 4 full teams playing in our Closing Bonspiel. It was played in the usual format of all players rotating position after 2 ends. The games were all played in a fun and sporting manner.

The points were extremely close but the winners were Jim Paxton, Alison Young, Freda Miller and Steve McCreath. Well Done!
We are grateful to Bill Inglis for doing the scoring.

The Winning Team - Closing Bonspiel 2019

The Annual Prize Giving followed the Bonspiel and AGM. President Alison presented the prizes.
Ronnie Peat won the Points Competition and Jennifer accepted the trophy on his behalf.
The Pairs/Doubles was not played for this year.

Autumn League Winners
Anne Wilson was  unable to attend AGM

Spring League Winners
Mara Lindsay unable to attend AGM

Final League Games 12th March

Congratulations to Alison's team including Mara, Mike and Alan Carruthers on winning the Spring League 2019! They were a formidable team and all played well throughout the season.

Last night saw Campbell and Steven's teams fighting for 2nd place but despite both winning their games the league positions stayed the same.  Campbell held onto 2nd place with Steve a close 3rd.

Several of our members were playing in the Portland Bonspiel but thanks to our reserves and 2 players from Disnae our final league match went ahead. We will try to avoid this happening next year.

Our closing bonspiel, AGM and prize giving is next Monday 18th March at 6pm.

7th March Matches

What a night of curling!
Jim Lindsay's Team had a run away victory of Steve McCreath's with a 12-4 Win. Well done!
Campbell had a very close match with Alison's team. But giving away 4 points at the first end made it difficult for them to catch up.
Only one more league match to go before our Closing Bonspiel and AGM on Monday 18th March at 6pm.

March 5th Matches

Alison's team continue their high standard and are now the undisputed winners of the Spring League!
The battle for 2nd place is now between Campbell and Steven's teams. The next two matches should prove interesting.
The results from Monday 5th March games are as follows:
Team C Alison v Team D Jim -  10 points to 1 Win for Alison
Team A Campbell v Team B Steven  -  7 points to 4 win for Steven

Friendly Match V Disnae 18.2.19

The members of Disnae Curling gave us a very good match on Monday night.
The games were played in the usual friendly competitive manner and some players stayed on for supper afterwards.
Mike, Freda, Robin and Katie had a good 7-4 win.
However, Alison, Jim, Joe and Mabel lost 4-5 to a team skipped by one of our own team players Steve Gillies. Alison reported that Steve was "on fire"!
Well done everyone and thanks for representing the club.

Two very close games!

League leader Alison Young had another victory tonight, but only by one shot.  Her team beat Campbell Kay by 7 shots to 6.

The other game was even closer and thankfully Jim Lindsay scored his first point of the campaign in a five all draw with Stephen McCreath.

Results from last night's games

The results for tonight are: Team C – Alison Young Skip Won 7-3 against Team D Skip Jim Lindsay.

A close game but Alison’s team had the edge at each end.

 

Team A – Skip Campbell Won 8 – 5 against Steven McCreath’s Team B.

This was played on Sheet 2 and the ice was very tricky. However, Campbell’s team played a steady game and won the match.

Cancellation of Doubles on 28th February

Unfortunately the club have had to cancel the Doubles Competition due to held on 28th February.
Many of our members are away on holiday and some have other commitments.

29th January Matches

Campbell's team worked well to achieve a 11-3 win over Jim Lindsay's team. The standard of curling was much closer that the score card shows!
Allison and her team had a tight match against Steve's team and came out the victors with 9 points to 3.
Everyone seems to be coping with the new format this year .

22nd January Matches

The game started off strongly for Team D (Skip Jim Lindsay). However, the tables were turned by the opposing team B (Skip Steve McCreath) resulting in a win of 15-8 for his team.
It just shows, there's everything to play for!
The other game was more evenly matched and resulted in a 7 ends to 4 win for Alison's team C over Campbell's team. (Team A)
All results are posted on the "League Results" page.

Our Friendly match against Darvel CC

On Monday 21st January we played 2 rinks against Darvel Curling Club.
Mike's team of Anne & Steven  managed a peel at 5 all, despite being 1 player short.
Alison's team of Bill, Will & Steve Gillies had a very respectable 6-3 win.
The games were followed by sandwiches, coffee etc and an enjoyable night was had by all!
Thanks to Darvel for organising supper.

First game of Spring League 15 Jan, 2019

Alison provided a very helpful information sheet to remind everyone of the new rotating format for the Spring League.
Our four new skips of Jim Lindsay, Alison Young, Campbell Kay and Steven McCreath all performed really well and achieved extremely close results.
Jim and Alison's teams had a close result with Alison the victor with 7 points to 6. Jim's team had to play with 3 due to Steve Gillies being unwell.
Campbell and Steven's teams won each end by only 1 point with Campbell the victor by 4 point to 3!
Both matches played only 7 ends.
Well done everyone!

More about Stranraer Weekend

Thank you to Jennifer and in particular Mara for coordinating the teams, quiz etc at Stranraer Curling Weekend. These events require a lot of work in the background, so thank you from everyone who attended!

Stranraer Weekend

Last Friday saw 13 members, spouses and friends heading down the A77 for our annual weekend at the North West Castle Hotel. Unfortunately, due to illness and injury, our numbers were depleted at the last minute. After some last minute amendments to the teams, we fielded 3 rinks in the weekend competition. Top of the class was the rink skipped by Bert, ably supported by Alison, Ewan and Amy who finished runners up in their group, and qualified for the semi-final. After a hard fought (and very long) match, they just lost out. The other 2 rinks, skipped by Mike and Mara played well, but did not manage to progress from their groups. The curling is only part of the weekend however, and we enjoyed the hospitality on offer in the hotel. Same weekend next year - get the date in your diaries!