Christmas Bonspiel

It was  a Bonspiel with a difference on Tuesday and it seems to have gone down well with all the players.

We welcomed back Charlie, Carly and Ben from our reserves pool.

We had nine curlers on the ice, split into three teams, initially playing two ends per match, with yours truly keeping score. The aim was to get as many ends as possible in before time ran out. 

The teams were

Bill - Sue - Charlie

Jim L - Katie - Ben

David - Jim P - Carly

Matches 1 and 2 were peeled so everything was close as the teams went into the second hour. Jim’s team took control of Match 3 decisively at which point we reduced the games to one end, to ensure each Team played six ends. Everybody won games and peeled games so there was very little in the final, outcome but it was Jim - Katie - Ben who triumphed………..the photo does not do justice to their beaming smiles at the post meal prize giving.

We convened to the restaurant where Lorrie and his team laid on a lovely dinner, a showman as always, heaven flamed the Christmas pudding at the table. Afterwards President Bill welcomed our new reserves, thanked everyone for taking part and making the Bonspiel a success. The wining the day in choosing their Secret Santa and with everyone drifted off into the freezing night air, no doubt thinking about next years festive o petition and ow could it possibly top this night!

A Full Rink

 For the first time this season both teams had their regular players on the ice which was good to see.

It was the fourth match of the league and as with the others,  it got off to a close start. The ice was not being kind to either side, stones slowing up suddenly and very little draw away from the centre line. It might be a case of who can adapt best in these circumstances.

Jim’s team took a single in the first end and Bill responded with a brace. Both ends were tight and could have gone either way. Similarly in the third it looked like Bill might sneak it again but Jim squeezed in for another single. In the fourth Bill built up a well guarded head. Jim looked to exploit the left hand side which was running more favourably but couldn’t quite dislodge the scoring stones to prevent Bill securing his second brace. 

So it was 4-2 at the halfway way point and really nothing in it. Both teams were producing accurate shots and equally getting caught out by the ice. It was fair to say no one had really gotten to grips with the way it changed from end to end…….and side to side! 

In the fifth there was plenty of movement around the front of the house and Bill’s team made the gains with three stones scoring when Jim took to the hack. His first stone did some damage and cut the deficit but Bill responded in kind. It was down to Jim to try and limit the score but his last stone came up short. An important three to Bill at this stage in the match.

Jim fought back in the sixth. He was lying two and Bill’s team were not able to get inside his stones. There was an opportunity to draw down the left again, slip into the four foot and steal a much needed three. The line was good, the weight was too good. Slipping past the tricky guards the stone crept into the house but would not draw. It clipped the outside scoring stone and both slid out of the house. An almost certain three became a heartbreaking single.

The seventh end was the closest yet. Both sides in the house, almost a measure to see who was scoring and by how many but it still required accurate shots from the Skips to resolve this one. With his first, Bill was heavy, shifted a couple of stones but no harm done. Still lying two. Jim drew in from the left, perfect weight and removed an outlier. Bill had to be spot on to get his last stone in through the gap on the right. It was light, drifted to the left and closed the gap slightly but still only lying one.

Jim had another draw from the left. He could take a two here, if he can shift the scoring stone. It was close,  the sweepers worked hard to keep it straight but the stone wandered too far left, clipped a yellow and with that the single went to Bill.

The bell intervened which gave Team A a lead of three matches to one with one to play. But as has been said through the autumn league, this year it’s about having fun and enjoying being on the ice. I think this week showed that is very much the case 😊

Points Competition

 The Points Competition was held on Tuesday evening with seven of us taking on eight disciplines.

As ever it took a few ends before we all got into the rhythm of who was throwing which stones and what discipline we were on but we did get there and everyone was chipping in (no pun) with scoring, placing stones and keeping each other on track as to how many stones they’d thrown, or not as the case may be. 

Looking at the two score sheets it was, for some, indeed a tale of two sheets. In fact for almost all of us the second sheet proved more fruitful in terms of points. David scored six times as many points going towards the Clubroom as opposed to the car park end, yet for Richard it was the other way around with double his points coming from his first attempts. Margaret was the most consistent with same number scored on each sheet.

However to save everyone’s blushes and focus on the positives, combined we are very good at Chipping the Winner and pretty hot when it comes to Drawing and Striking!

So at the end of eight tests we had

In 3rd place with 17 Points - Margaret 🥉

In 2nd place with 18 Points - Jim P 🥈

The Winner with 19 Points was Richard! 

CONRGATULATIONS 🥌🏆🥇

Thanks to everyone who took part. It was as always a fun evening, a good bit of practice ……..and to the strongest participants, propping up the rest……there is always next year! 

Meanwhile on Sheet 6 Bill and Ronnie were putting four potentially new members through their paces. Some had never been on the ice and others were returning after long absences. Initially intending to have a warm up and join the Points later on, things were going so well the newbies spent the whole time getting used to playing against each other. 

Thanks to Ronnie for giving up his Points Competition to help out and to Bill for doing likewise and encouraging some new players to come and try. Hopefully we will see some if not all again, soon. 

Ones Twos and Threes!

It was a bit of mix n match last night as the teams took to the ice.

With only Dave available on Team B and Jim not playing for Team A we were very grateful to Alison, Margaret and Richard for stepping in and filling the gaps. Unfortunately we could not secure an eighth player and so Dave's side started the match as a threesome.

Ones..................

The teams got off to "an anything you can do we can do" first end, each side putting stones where they were wanted and not much being given away. Similarly in the second end, the ice was still a bit sticky and the gaps had to be exploited, which Dave did more successfully and took two singles.

Not to be out done a patient Bill kept working away, taking chances when they came and benefitting from the merest hint of luck. He clawed back a couple of singles and so after four ends it was 2-2. Almost a professional looking score!

Twos................

It has to be said that Margaret and Richard had their eye in and were putting stones wherever Dave had asked. The A Team weren't backing off and still gave a good account of themselves and there were a couple of occasions where less than an inch of turn would have made the difference. Maybe that earlier hint of luck was all they were to get. Try as they might, no matter the shots, it was Dave's time to shine and the team rattled off twos in the next three ends.

Threes.................  

Going into the eighth end it was always going to be a tall order for Bill to steal a six. This game had been close in each end. Some great take outs, some lucky wicks and some near misses. So when a guddle started to build early on, even scoring at all was becoming harder. a last stone draw was possible but just came up short and the single went to Team B. 

Dave's Trio Triumphed..........sometimes threes are better than fours :-)

With that score line it is an absolutely symmetrical League Table.

League matches are taking a back seat for a few weeks as next up its the Points Competition.

When a Friendly isn't Really a Friendly

 Last night was billed as a Friendly versus the Disnae Club.

Only two Disnae members could make it so with a little juggling (thanks to the office) we took to a single sheet and had a really fun friendly game.

We were joined by Carly and Ben from Disnae. A friendly couple who moved to the area in 2019, so not just new to curling but to Ayr as well. they seemed to enjoy their time on the ice.

The game was quite tight for six ends but the scoring really wasn't the point of the evening under the circumstances. It was a really good opportunity to show how we like to play and the ethos of the club ...... to have fun whilst we are playing and to not get too serious about things.

To that end I think we made a good impression.....lets hope it turns into new members. They have all our match dates for the rest of the year so fingers crossed.

Post-match we enjoyed a wee purvy from Lorrie who also showed great patience when I was continually revising the numbers down the way :-/

Thanks to all those who took part, who would have stepped in to take part if we had had a full opposition and those who wanted to take part but had to withdraw.

Welcome Back!

Well dear Reader its 2022, its October so it must be time to start blogging!

Our numbers might be fewer but our enthusiasm is still as strong.  Lets hope we get full rinks, fun matches and maybe snag the odd new member along the way ;-)

The first match of the season was a great curtain raiser, some fine play, some sticky ice and occasionally more porridge required but both teams worked hard and its fair to say the result doesn't reflect on how close was each end.

Everyone was finding their rhythm on the first end and the ice was slow at the beginning, some short, some long, some in the house and giving the Skips pause for thought. Team A prevailed with a duce.

Back down the other end, with little swing in the ice it was another head where anything could happen. With the last stone Team B took a single.

Team A got a bit of momentum through ends three to five and whilst only picking up singles or twos they started to pull ahead. Things were still close, in each end. The A Team guarded a single in the third, the B Team came up just short to steal the fourth and there was almost a measure in the fifth. 

However Jim P came back in the sixth and taking a two reduced the deficit to three with two ends left. It wasn't over yet. Taking a two in the next end kind of put the A Team beyond reach and with everyone looking for the Skips to shake hands...........which they didn't.............then listening for the bell........which was late.............it was End Eight.

The A Team took another two to seal the match but this season lets not focus too much on the scores........

We have two teams playing and with the predicted need for subs, everyone in the club will get to play on one or both sides. So lets just enjoy the games, enjoy the craic and see if we can get three teams in the Spring League.

Happy Curling Everyone :-)

AGM & Prizegiving

The AGM and Prizegiving was held at Richard & Margaret's on 7th April.

Full details of the decisions made will no doubt be published in due course.

Prizes were presented by President Jim to those winners who were able to attend.

Doubles Winner - Anne (Bert McKay not present)

Spring League Winners - Jennifer and Bill (Sue and Joe not present)

Points Winner - Ronnie

Winter League Winners - Richard, Margaret and Alan (missing Sue)

Where have all the curlers gone?

 It was a strange sensation to take to the ice on Tuesday and discover we were the only club playing. There might not have been much atmosphere but we made up for that with a right old ding dong.

For the first couple of ends it was all fairly standard play. Bill snuck a single then took a two but as has been said before…..early days yet.

In the third end Bill and the team were getting a good number of stones into the right hand side of the house but there was still room down the left for Jim to sneak in and spoil the score. As has often been the situation in games in this campaign, it came down to the last stone of the end to make or break a score. Bill was lying five but there was still a draw for Jim to steal a single. It was not to be and to make matters worse there was a promotion which gave Bill a six. 

OUCH!!

Down but not out Jim and the team came back fighting. They took a two and whilst it was the halfway  mark, maybe they would come back and give Bill something to think about. Well a three in the fifth was another blow to that ambition! The scoreboard did not look pretty for some but the B Team dug deep and kept fighting. 

Never say never, three ends and nine back, stranger things have happened. So when Jim came back in the sixth with a four, that took Bill by surprise and maybe, just maybe……….There was no let up in the seventh and the B Team came away with a three. 

9-11 and only the eighth left to play. Could they do it? Peels would have a significant impact on the league  and Bill knew it. He built a good head, guarded well and it wasn’t easy for Jim to make any gains. Bill took a two and although 9-13 doesn’t look great for the B Team, it was a great comeback and a really exciting game. 

So with one match to play the league is still to be decided. It’s clear cut for Bill, win and he has the title. For Jim P it needs to be a win and by a margin of shots. Everything to play for!!!

Getting the weight right

Tuesday’s match was nominally Team A versus Team B. However the dreaded COVID has struck and half of the players did not usually represent those teams.

So firstly, thanks to those who turned out to ensure the game took place and secondly let’s hope all those who couldn’t attend (and those other club members who are currently having to isolate) are on the mend and not being too afflicted by this annoying virus. 

On to the ice………..and what ice it was! Several cracks were visible causing reverberations as the stones travelled over the ice rather like a train on tracks. It wasn’t easy to read the ice and everyone had a weight problem 😮

The game? 

Well it started rather routinely. The early stones were a mixture of too light and too heavy but some did manage to stay in the house and Bill ( covering for Jim L) took a two. The second end saw a revision of how to deliver the stones and a fine old guddle developed, with the odd exception that glided inexorably through the house. The end was heading to a blank until Bill’s last stone found a way round the multiple guards and sat nicely on the four foot. Jim P could not find a way in and a single went to the B Team.

Back up the ice over the rumbling cracks for End Three, still the ice was hard to read but there were some well placed guards and both Skips were being asked to make tricky, accurate shots. It was a close thing and Jim came out on top with a single. A similar situation developed in the fourth with a single going to Bill. So at the half way mark it was 4-1 to Team B.

The second half of the match was a very different affair and it would be disingenuous to dwell on the highlights of each end. The scores really didn’t reflect just how close it was but one side did manage to create opportunities and capitalise on how the stones were positioned.

Suffice to say all four ends went to Bill and Team B. Jim battled hard but just didn’t get any breaks when the ice refused to draw for him. If you want to know the score, look at the results table. I think it might get a mention at the AGM. I’ll say no more 😊

Fullarton Annual Doubles Competition

    Our annual Doubles competition was played last night (Monday 21st). President Jim was unfortunately unable to play, and thanks are due to Jack Shanks who stepped in at short notice. He was teamed up with Mara, but unfortunately they struggled to get to grips with the ice in their first game and were well beaten by Joe and Alison. On the other sheet Bert and Anne were having a close game against Jim and Freda, with Bert and Anne getting over the line. 

On to the final: Bert and Anne against Joe and Alison - another close game, Bert and Anne just having the edge and winning 5 shots to 4. In the bronze medal game, Jack and Mara coped much better with the ice, and were successful against Jim and Freda. Thanks to everyone for taking part - doubles is a good format which requires different tactics from our usual 4 person team games 

 It was the two Jims again this week as Team A and B took to the ice. 

Would Team A go top of the table or could Team B get off the mark and change the shape of the league?

As seems to be the way with the Spring League this game too was a close affair. Team B got off to the better start taking a two in the first end but only just. Nothing was going to come easy this game well almost nothing.

There was nothing in it in the second with both Skips looking at draws to get a score and Jim P came out on top this time. The ice did not have much draw down the sides but find the centre line and there was more than enough. Certainly enough to give everyone something to think about when deciding how much ice was required. 

A fairly open head in the third and just a single to Jim L’s team. Neither Skip were giving away too much and in the fourth some lovely draws and take outs but it was Team B who took another single. 4-1 but too close to call.

Team A came out on the attack in the fourth but it still required tight draws and canny guards before they took a two. Similarly in the sixth, accurate shot making required and an inch or two either way made the difference between success and frustration. Once again the success was in favour of Team A.

With the clock ticking and the teams unlikely to get an eighth end it as 4-4 as we headed into the seventh. The A Team once again came out firing and built a good head, although it has to be said they got some help from the opposition (OK it was me) and as it came down to the last stones they were lying four but with a possible tap up which would give Team B a single it was once again all on that last stone. 

A fraction inside the brush was enough to keep that stone curling away from its intended target and fall onto the guards. It was the first time Team B had been behind all match but only the result counts and falling to a four right at the end was a bitter blow.

For Team A it was another good win, back on top of the table, a good haul of shots and ends. Congratulations  Jim and his Team.

You Thought Last Week Was Tight………..

 Match 3 of the Spring League saw Teams A and C pit their wits and skills to see who might sit top of the league.

The first end had a sticky start with the ice slowing a few stones and not giving much of a draw down either side. Some stones did make it into the house and the tight lines set the tone for the match, a single went to Team A.

A similar start in the second end and a similar situation as the head developed. Not much being given by either side and with Team C, guest skipped by Alison, lying two, there was no way for Jim to draw in quite enough with his last stone, to make a difference. 

This game was taking shape with accurate shots testing each team and the occasional wayward shot being followed by dark mutterings (often from the writer it must be said 🤨). Both teams were really on it. With the hammer, Alison had an opportunity to tap Jim’s counting stone and lie two. An accurate draw, some vigorous sweeping and the stones connected but with Jim’s the one moving closer to the centre. The thirds had a good look and it went to a measure. A single went to Team C.

The fourth end followed the pattern with each side squeezing stones through gaps, knocking stones through and no one building a really solid head. Another single, to Team A.

In the fifth it looked for a time that the A Team were taking control. The ice was still not giving up much of a draw, limiting both teams and keeping things tight. Jim was lying two and once again Alison had the hammer to try and spoil the show.  Draw, sweep, cajole the stone and it inched into the house. It was certainly a score to Team A but if they were to take two it would be another measure. And once again it came out in favour of Team C.

End six was played in the same way as the rest of the match. Tight, equal and no one getting ahead. You’ve guessed it, another single and it put the A Team in front as we went into the seventh end. The clock was ticking, it didn’t look like there would be an eighth. So this was it!

Jim took control early on and guarded well his scoring stone. Alison managed to sneak in and keep him to a single counting yellow and with gaps on both sides Jim could only guard one side. He did this perfectly but Alison had a chance to draw down the left and with enough weight, sneak into the eight foot. 

The weight was good, the line was right, the sweepers stayed on it all the way and the stone did its job. Yet another single and the game was peeled. 

It was a great match, never anything in it, accurate shot making and lots of hard sweeping. Well done to both teams !

Nip and Tuck……..kind of.

 Match Two of the Spring league proved to be a tight affair…..honest!

The ice was sticky and slow to start with, challenging all the players to find their weight and length. In the first end this caused a right old guddle but there were a couple of gaps and it was Team B who found one, held it, took the single against the head and moved on to the second end. 

It was similar situation going back down the ice, not many opportunities to build a decent head, some stones actually drifted through the back but most hung about out front giving the Skips some head scratching when trying to find a way through. Once again it was Team B who prevailed and took another single.

Into the third end and there was still nothing in it, tight head, few gaps, it was going to require a wick from somewhere to get a score and with the Red stones lying one it looked like they were going to prevail. However the last stone wicked the wrong way, slide a yellow onto the two foot and Joe’s C Team were on the board.

The ice was starting to speed up, the teams had got their eye in and the game was still as tight as a tight thing. Joe was guarding a single and Jim could not make any progress, so if was another single and the score was 2-2. Absolutely nothing in it. 

In the fifth things began to change, Joe again built a head and Jim was looking to get in his way. Not this time. Joe was in control and the first two of the match went on the board.

The match has now found a pattern, tight heads, small gaps, not much being given by either side and often one good stone making the difference. Team C stayed strong and took a couple more singles so going into the last end it was 6-2.

The eighth end was tit for tat with stones being dislodged by both sides but not much in the way of good scores looking likely. Jim had several stones in the eight and twelve foot but with his last stone Joe found a draw and gently slipped almost on to the button. Jim had one shot, wick off his own stone, slide across the house, tap the scoring yellow out and lie five to Peel (the irony of scoring five was not lost on Jim!)

It looked good as it travelled down the ice but was just too true as it wicked off his own stone. It slid towards the scoring yellow, tapped it but only nearer the button. Another single to Joe and a 7-2 win.The scorecard does not reflect how tight this match was but a win is a win!

Well done Joe and Team C 😊🥌

New Year, New League, New Rules!

 At last! Back on the ice after our Christmas break.

Time to experience the new Restriction Guidelines under match conditions with The Two Jims.

The first end was a little bit of a gentleman’s excuse me as sweepers were offering to do their bit. 

Will I, will you, no I’ll take this,  one at a time remember………and while all that was getting sorted out Jim P took a single.

Clearly he thought he’d try the same tactic in the second end as he cunningly guddled the front of house whilst simultaneously building a head. What’s that? A three already!  Swiftly followed by a single and Jim L’s B Team we’re five down having played well and not done much wrong.

Time to fight back!

Some accurate shots and clever tactics gave the B Team a three and then a two. So after five ends - five all. A fair position for both teams who were matching each other almost shot for shot. However it was the B Team who struck out again and took a two putting them ahead by two with two ends to go.

End seven was a tight affair each team knocking stones out, front of house well guarded but a couple, of gaps to exploit. With Jim Ls last stone he really had a shot to nothing, get it through the gap on the left and sit on the button to lie one and hope that Jim P wouldn’t match him. That would mean losing a three and guess what………Team A took the three thanks to dead eye JP!🥌🥌🥌

The final end was similarly tight and tactical but with his last stone Jim L had a chance for glory. Tap the scoring red stone out and he’d lie two, taking the match. 

The stone was good, the line was right, the sweeping was perfect, avoiding the guards and heading straight to that pesky red. Tap. It had gone and the yellow was spinning in towards the four foot. Excellent.

But dear reader that was not the end. For the stone kept spinning, towards the button and the scoring yellow. They touched, they slid and we watched as they both passed the four, the eight, the rink and out of play!!!!

Still dear reader that was not the end ……… the almost perfect stone, an inch away from greatness had cleared the house of yellows and left five, yes FIVE red stones. As I write there are still tears streaming down my cheeks 😭😭😭😭😭

Congratulations A Team, what a great game!