Spring League Match 2

Well well well! You couldn’t ask for things to be any closer after two matches. Here’s what happend and how it has shaped the league positions.

On Rink 6 it was Dave against Steve, with Dave a player down. Straight out the blocks it looks like Steve aimed to take advantage of the extra sweeping and took a four. But don’t write Dave off quite so fast dear reader, sometimes three is better than four if they get their collective eye in and in the second end Dave replied with a four! Pretty much nip and tuck through ends three and four with Dave edging ahead 6-5. Looks like all that action took its toll as the speed of play slowed down and singles were scored in the remaining three ends. Significantly all of them were in Dave’s favour and the match ended after seven ends at 9-5.

A full house of players on Rink 5 as Joe and Jim faced off for the first time in this league. A steady single from Joe, followed by a two which was equalled by Jim in the third end. However a two in the fourth gave Joe a three shot cushion at the halfway mark. Jim took a single but that was enough for Joe. He got the elbows out, racking up four shots in the next three ends to win an eight end match by an impressive 9-3. 

Looking at the league table there’s hardly a wee wick between them. Everyone has won one game, it’s almost equal on ends and it’s fair to say that positions don’t count for much at the moment.......although Joe might disagree, he’s top dog this week! 

Spring League Game 14th January 2020

Both games were hard fought, however Dave Pittam's 3 man team came out the victors over Steve McCreath's. Anne played really well and they didn't seem to suffer for being a player short. Each team started with 4 and were level going into the 3rd end where Dave's team took the lead and went on to win 9 - 5.

Joe Miller's rink had a healthy win over Jim Paxton's rink. Mike McNeill was not available to play as unfortunately he is off for several weeks due to a fractured wrist. Joe's team played a steady game and went on to win 9 - 3.

Stranraer Weekend 2020

Three teams from Fullarton took part in the Stranraer weekend competition, and given the wild weather it was a great place to be.

Good food, good company and some curling ( not all in the "good" category).

Each team had some success by winning a game, but this year the semi finals took place without us. It was great to have Rachel and Amy with us again.  They certainly boosted the curling and reduced the average age.

Everyone had a wonderful time and we hope to field more teams next year. The weekend will be 8th - 10th January, so please put the date in your diary now.

Some photos.

Pre dinner drinks

More drinks

First Spring League Games

Welcome to 2020 Curlers!
Let’s put the excesses of the Festive period behind us and focus on the Spring League where we have four teams playing nine matches .........and they’re off ! 🥌🥌🥌

Sorry folks but to paraphrase a well known sports reporter, I wasn’t at the match. So what follows is my take on the games based on the scorecards!

A couple of high scoring matches straight out the hack this week.

On Rink 1 we had Dave up against Jim. Dave has only a three person rink and it looks like this was a grinding match trading singles for the first four ends. It was 3-1 to Jim at the half way stage. But Jim put the floor down in ends five and six taking threes in each one and pulling away to a commanding  9-1 lead going into the seventh.

Dave fought back but with only a one on the board and the clock against him, there was no eighth end, denying him the opportunity of a comeback. The match ended 9-2 in Jim’s favour.

Rink 2 saw Bert stepping in for Joe, up against Steve.  A steady single from Steve in the first end was quickly wiped out by a three from Bert in the second. Not taking that sort of attack lying down, Steve took a three in the next.......and another. At the halfway mark he was up 7-3
He followed those with a single and a two, by the end of the sixth end he had a strong 10-3 lead. However Bert fought back taking a two but with a five shot margin going into the last Steve was too experienced to let a head build up and with Bert securing a single the game ended at 10-6.

It’s only week one of the league so don’t get to disheartened or jubilant. Lots to play for as the days   grow longer and daffodils poke their noses out into the sunshine....... no honestly, there will be sunshine eventually!

🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲🎅🥌🌲

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 🏆🥌🏆