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 !