We Are The Champions

 The last match of the Spring League was played on Tuesday night.

We had two substitutes, so thanks to Richard and to Valerie from Disnae for turning out to what was an experience for all, some good, some bad :-(

This was the league decider. if Margaret won, Team A were Champions. If Jim won, it would be Team B. I didn't want to consider the outcomes if the match was peeled!

Things got off to promising start for the C Team, taking a two having dominated the first end. That promise was very quickly replaced by deflation when, with the last stone from Margaret, the score changed from a single to Team C into a seven (say it quietly) to the A Team.

Undeterred but slightly bruised, the Red stones went back down the ice to the end they preferred. Once again they took control and notched up a three! Cutting the deficit to just two felt a lot better........for all of about fifteen minutes!

Once again with last stone Margaret delivered a marvellous shot which, even though it was a Plan B result, was way better than hoped for, kicked a Red stone way, rolled into the four foot and before you could blink......a four!

That really took the wind out the C Team's sails but they battled on, losing a single in the fifth it started to look like too high a mountain to climb. However a two followed and a three in the last end meant the three Skips and an ever accurate Ben proved to strong a combination for the battling Team C.

The result confirmed a huge victory for the A Team and winners of the Spring League. Congratulations to Margaret and her Team, Bill, Sue, Ben and all those who subbed throughout the league.

A Tale of Two Cues

Teams A and C met for an important match at the tail end of the league……and a live blog too! 

In the first end Team B squeezed a single for the yellow stones but don’t blink because the A Team took control in the second end. Margaret is deadly with the cue and before you know it a four was on the board. 

The ice is not being kind to Mara yet, the Reds are in control again, lying two as the Skips take to the hack. Margaret has put up a well placed guard. Mara nudges that stone up and tightens the red stone’s control. Another guard. That yellow stone just isn’t going to turn, it’s clipped another yellow which drifts out and another deuce to the Reds. 

Fourth end and a Yellow stone is on the button with Reds gathering around the outside. That yellow is looking vulnerable and sure enough it soon gets moved. Lots of room in the house if the B Team can get passed those three Reds scoring in the 12ft. A lovely draw from Jim P, in the four foot, just beyond the T but exposed. Margaret the Cue is in the hack! Slightly off line, tap, tap, roll. It’s just touching the four foot. Lovely draw in, bit of a tap n roll. Is that yellow lying two? No! A Red stone has just pipped them and with the last stones nit changing the positions, a single to Team A. 

Tentative lead stones in the fifth, Reds guarding the centre of the house, suddenly scattered and the house is open. Yellow stones are creeping into the twelve foot but there are gaps everywhere. Anything Yellow can do, Red is copying. Nothing in it at the moment. Over to you Skips. Whose going to take advantage? ITMA - It’s That Margaret Again, cuts Mara to one, last stone to come. Drat, it just wouldn’t curl enough. Just a single to Team B. 

That’s more like it for the Yellows. Populating the house and protected by Red guards. It’s another cue stone, this time from Bill and it shatters the head that was building for the B Team. Jim hits straight back, this is exciting. The ice is not Mara’s friend tonight, she is having it all to do and ITMA strikes again! Sneaking in for another single.

The B Team fought back in the seventh end and at this stage in the match the Reds could afford to lose a shot, or maybe two and so it proved to be. Another well contested end with the A Team taking a single but going into the last end requiring a five to Peel was always a tall order. Taking another single in the last end meant it was four ends apiece but that big score in the second end was the difference and the A Team are top of the league with one match remaining.

 This week Team A met Team C and with a bit of a scheduling mix up, Team A could only field three players.......but what a three that included Ronnie as sub! The C Team also had a sub with Richard stepping up for globe trotting Charlie.

Losing the toss, Team C elected to play yellow stones and off they went. Sticky slow ice to start with and everyone testing their weighted stones, there was a group of reds gathering front of house but Jim say the draw was on and with some good stones it was Team C who took the first end with a two.

A similar start to the second on but much less space to exploit when it came to the Skips. Once again Jim was lying two but Margaret has a hammer opportunity to nick in and steal the end. Looking on line and heading for the nick required, despite furious sweeping by Ronnie the stone to stay straight. The resulting wick pushed a red stone out of the way and Team C stole a three.

The third end started similarly to the first, reds on the outer ring of the house and draws possible down the right hand side. This time it was the A Team who took the two. Similarly in the fourth end the A Team took control early on and try as they might the yellow stones were not getting far enough into the house to cause problems. Another two to the reds and the deficit was down to one at the halfway mark.

Confession time from the author........before delivering his first stone of the fifth end, he forgot to clean it. The resulting score on the ice resembled the Mariana Trench, although somehow stone Five made it over the hog line and presented a useful long guard. The ice technicians would not be impressed. This helped Jim's team defend their stones and take another two.

Back up towards the car park end and again Team A were dominant. With the hammer Jim had the chance to steal a single, or if he could dislodge Margaret's scoring stones, even take a two. The line was good, the weight was good but the stone just fell away at the end, shifted one red and Margaret had a single.

There were several opportunities in the seventh end for either team to really take control as the first and second scoring stones, one a piece, were sitting in the twelve foot behind the T line. However with guards from both sides front of house, the draw in was tight and several stones fell short. Initially placing a guard down the left, Jim left Margaret a tricky shot down the right to sneak a single. Nearly but not quite. The reds were lying but there was still a gap for Jim to slip inside. He certainly made his sweepers work for it and with some vigorous brush work the last stone crept into the house and just far enough into the eight foot to make all the gasping for breath worth it!

Need three to peel in the last end the A Team started well, the split the house and were making things difficult. with a couple of yellows just off the brush and wicking red stones in a less than hoped for direction, it might just come off. With her first stone Margaret delivered an excellent stone to sit on top of a yellow and outscore them by two. With the dreaded call of "same again" Margaret sent her last stone down the ice. Good line, good weight, good grief........just inside where it was needed and shifted another red. A single was scored.

So a much needed 8-6 win for Team C and with everyone having two matches left it is still a close thing. Whose your money on????????

Ayr @ 50

 The Ayr @ 50 celebrations were held at the ice rink on 19th February. 

The day started with three sessions of curling, teams playing six end matches. All sections of the club were represented from Little Rockers to Seniors. The games were all played in a friendly atmosphere with a hint of rivalry. 

The Fullarton Team of Mara and Jim, myself and our super sub Pat Galloway were up against Beresford Ladies and as always seems to be the way with us this year, also up against a wall……we were on Rink 1!

We lost a two in the first end but soon got the measure of the ice and our opponents. We took the next five ends and came out with a 7-2 victory. It was a close match, played in good humour and obviously nice to get the win. 

With tables laid splendidly, 138 curlers and guests, including ACC Past Presidents, ACC Past RCCC Presidents, ACC Past RCCC Presidents - Ladies Branch, ACC gold and silver Olympians, World Champions, Senior World Champions, senior and junior European medalists, National Champions (PHEW!) all sat down to be welcomed by ACC President Ken Ireland. 

Ken announced that the ice money from the days curling, somewhere around £1200 would be donated to the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

After a splendid meal from Lorrie and his team, there were speeches from Liz Goldie and ACC Past President John Collins. Then came  the prizes for the day’s matches. One for the winner of each session, based on winning margins of points then ends and an overall prize of The Highlander Trophy to the best score overall.

Session One - Irvine Ladies

Session Two - SYMINGTON - who with the highest overall score of all sections, were also winners of the Highlander Trophy.

Session Three - FULLARTON …..yes you read it right!

No one looked more surprised than the four of us, mainly as we’d been on the same Session as Scott Andrew’s team and they had put up a huge score. However in the end their winning margin was the same as ours but we took more ends. A fabulous surprise! 

Through the evening the silent auction had been on going and when the clock struck 9:25 the auction closed. 

All the lots went for more than the starting prices and in total £1348 was raised and will go towards the ACC Development Group. 

With that it was a toast to Ayr Curling Club, then cloaks and carriages. A splendid night not to be forgotten by all who were there. 

The Magnificent Six

This week it was Team B v Team C and with only three on each side, the magnificent six took to the ice.

Team C lost the toss and got the match underway. The ice was sticky in patches with stones seeming to slow down then regain speed, making it difficult for everyone to judge their weight. It looked like Jim's team had adapted best and found themselves lying four with Mara's last stone to come. It made its way into the house but not enough to make a difference and a surprising four went on the board for the Red stones.

You can't win a game in the first end and Mara knew there was plenty of time to rectify the score line. So the B Team were pleasantly surprised to be lying five when Jim took to the hack for his final stone. There was a tiny gap through which stone could slide and reduce the score. That was Plan A.

We all know that Plan A doesn't always come off and neither did Jim's but with a tap and roll off an outlying yellow, a swift curl towards a scoring stone in the eight foot, shifting it sufficiently to keep Jim's stone moving, by some inexplicable trigonometry the last stone ended touching the button for a single.

There is a saying in golf "not how but how many". The C Team had no idea how (Katie's excellent sweeping perhaps?) and it's fair to say everyone looked surprised to say the least but a One went on the scorecard.

Still early days. 

Mara built a strong and secure head in the third, there was little Jim could do to penetrate it. Two choices, go for a difficult scoring shot and risk losing more than a single, or accept the situation. Accepting the latter seemed like the sensible choice. Third end, 5-1, that's ok.

Similarly in the fourth, both teams had stones in the house and scoring but it was Mara with the upper hand. Once again Jim had to go for last stone glory, this time for a potential two. His stone fell short and another single went to the Yellow team, now it's 2-5 at the halfway mark.

With the ice still catching out players, never quite sure how much draw there would be when straying from the centre line, the fifth end was following the pattern of three and four. Now it was Mara with an opportunity to steal the end. Almost but not quite. Another single. Team C restore their four point lead.

In fact ends six and seven followed the same pattern, well guarded, well positioned heads, requiring accurate stones and the ice still not always being kind. Mara took them both with singles. Suddenly going into the last end The C Team were only ahead by two but had only taken one end in five. 

Straight out the hack David and Jim P were on the money for the B Team. Stones were nicely positioned in the head and proving difficult to move. Some close but no cigar red stones did not change the situation. Mara played two fabulous stones, guarding her scoring stones and narrowing the gap to reach them. Now Team B were lying two. With last stone Jim was left with no choice. He had to move some yellow stones and at the very least reduce the damage to a single.

Played with good weight and good line, all was shaping up nicely for the tap, tap he needed. As the stone entered the house it curled too much to the left, caught a yellow stone at the wrong angle, spun across the house, removing another yellow but also a vital red! Two stones were scoring and they were yellow!

Mara's patience, tenacity and experience had won through. You can't win a game in the first end but you can't lose it either. In a game of eight ends anything can happen. So with the match peeled at 6-6 the six players shook hands on what had been an enthralling game.

Red Stones Get The Measure

 Teams A and B met on the ice this week in the fourth game of the League.

The A Team, playing with red stones got off to a flying start in the first end, setting up a potentially painful score with only the Skips to deliver. Bill, stepping in for Margaret, had done all he could to stop Mara from being on the receiving end and even Mara was thinking things looked bleak. 

It may be a cliché but also a truism. Its not over until the last stone is delivered. Mara went for a gap, needing to draw, tap her own stone and move the reds further out. Frantic sweeping to get the stone close enough, it slid in, did everything it had to do and the Red Team looked on in disbelief. Team B were lying five against and in the end they took a two!

It was only the first end..........

Back down the other end Bill was not taking this lightly and the attack was on in the second end. Another head was building well. Nicely placed guards were protecting his stones and try as they could Mara's team were not getting the breaks on the ice and couldn't get passed the guards. Lying three and with the hammer, Bill chose to throw short and take the score.

The third end was a very tight affair. several stones trapped in and around the two foot made it hard for both Skips to make any headway. With the B Team certainly scoring a single, a measure was called by the A Team's third.....................at this point I'll hold my hands up and say I should have received a yellow card for time wasting..............having called the measure, then taking a second look at the stones, it was going to be two to Yellow. However we went through the process and my poor call was found out. :-(

Ever onward and with consistently good Lead stones from Ben, Bill again got the better of things and took another three in the fourth end. Big scores from both sides but still a close game at the halfway mark with only two shots in it.

There was some scrappy shots in the next two ends, not really helping either Skip to take control of the head. Close calls but the A Team took two singles. In the seventh, more good guards making it hard for stones to draw around and into the house. Mara taking a single and with a few minutes before the bell, onto the eighth. Mara needed three to Peel. Bill had last stone.

Guards went up and some other stones fell short making the front of house a bit congested. Both Thirds played accurate shots to move those stones that were in the house out towards the margins. however there was still a chance for the B Team to find a draw into the house, or the A Team to further protect their slender single stone.

Team B's last stone came up a bit short and clipped a guard. At that, Bill shook hands with Mara to bring a close match to a conclusion. Chances could have been taken, some were and in the end the A Team came out victors 9-5.

That closes the gap in the League on points but Team B are still ahead on Ends and Shots. All to play for!

A Tale of Two Subs

Tuesday saw Teams A and C take to the ice, each with a Super Sub in the shape of Alison, covering for Katie and we welcomed Valerie from the Disnae Club who stepped in for Anne.

The first two ends were tense and tight, the players working out just how the ice was reacting to the stones. Short stones, long stones and congested houses made for exciting shot making. So it was honours even after two ends, one shot each.

Team A started the third end by building a good head, each side were finding the house but it was the red stones who were proving to be most accurate. Jim had the hammer and an opportunity, if not to take the end, then to reduce the deficit. However the curling Gods did not look favourably on the last stone, online, good weight but the connection went the wrong way, moved a red and Margaret had scored a four. OUCH!

Undeterred, Jim came out fighting in the fourth. this time it was the yellows who occupied the best positions. Although narrowly missing an opportunity to lie three with one last red stone to go, Margaret narrowly missed dislodging her opponent and it was two to Team C. 

That helped narrow the gap and in the fifth Jim's rink continued to control the head in the early stages. Then the skilled cue deliveries by Margaret found gaps, wicks, and taps. Two stones later the reds were lying two and had restored their comfortable lead.

Four down and three ends to play, Jim wasn't done yet. A bit of a guddle outside the house but the yellows had found the spaces and were lying three, well guarded and with the hammer. Would Jim risk going for a four? Was there the space to score safely or would it end up with a two? Jim made his call, Bill performed his impression of a certain feathered bird and Jim let his last stone fall short, took the three and reduced the deficit to only one.

The seventh end was an absolute guddle, was anyone going to manage to get a stone in the house! Well, yes they did and when they did, the stones were well guarded. With great shots from Bill and Margaret, they found a gap, opened it up and left a shot for Margaret to steal a single. Was that going to be enough to take the victory. The clock was approaching 1915 but the bell hadn't sounded so it was on to the eighth end. 

Jim had already taken a three in the sixth, could he repeat it? Some wonderful Lead shots and guards by the Seconds set up a very close finish to the match, everyone was looking for a good draw down the right side. Two stones were nestled together on the four foot, guarded. It needed a yellow stone to slide in and take a score. In the end it was the red of Team A who were lying by one and they won an exciting and close fought game 9 -6. 

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 😊🥌