Eight evenly matched contesting Pairs took to the ice on Sunday 5th March to take part in this season’s competition.

The seriousness of the rivalry was evident in the first round games when after 4 ends, Dave A. and Craig Brown’s teams were all square with Skips drawing the house to decide the winner. Similarly, at the second start time, Dave Carr and Kirsty McWilliam were also forced to draw the house to decide the split.

After the first round games were complete, the pairings of Dave A and Stuart, Margaret and Roger, Kirsty and Jean and finally Liz and Alan progressed to the High Road Semis. Low Road Semifinal games were Craig and Vic against Dave Gillespie and Pam, whilst Dave Carr and Karen were matched against Iain and Graeme.

With brief respites for a plate of soup and a hot drink, the afternoons curling continued with those not on the ice watching from the balcony, and occasional words of advice (or laughter at flukey shots) heard from the gallery. Craig and Vic won through to the Low Road Final against Iain and Graeme and after one last hard fought game when Craig’s sweeping skills went into overdrive, they came out victorious as winners of the Low Road.

In the High Road, Margaret and Roger triumphed over Dave A and Stuart, whilst Kirsty and Jean won the match against Liz and Alan, despite Alan taking out every decent stone Jean played to the house and Liz’s producing some amazing draws.

With Jean and Roger struggling to get their weight on the re-pebbled ice in the first end, it was down to the Skips. Kirsty was deciding tactics and playing brilliantly, taking a 3 in the first end. Margaret and Roger continued to fight back but with the bell stopping play after the fifth end the final score was 2-5 against.

Congratulations to Craig and Vic as Low Road Winners and to Kirsty and Jean as Pairs Champions.

Many thanks to all who stayed on to watch the finals, and also to Karen and Graeme for standing in at short notice as reserves.

Report by Jean Noble