37 CLUB TROPHY Challenge 24/25

On Sunday 20^th of November 16 Curlers gathered to compete in this annual event.

Eight of our friends from 37 Club were led by Paul Davis and Stuart Williamson.  Paul would lead the challenge against Penicuik’s Team Anderson while Stuart Williamson faced Team Ramsay.

TEAM ANDERSON was 3^rd Ian Robertson, 2^nd Dave Carr, Lead President David Gillespie.

TEAM RAMSAY was 3^rd Craig Brown, 2^nd Stuart Blackwood, Lead Kirsty McWilliam.

After the disappointment of winning on Points but losing on Ends in last years clash, Penicuik were focused on securing the trophy.

The first ends did not go well for Penicuik’s Blue stones when a loss of 2 for Ramsay and a loss of 1 for Anderson.  Ends 2 & 3 gave hope to the Penicuik sides when the Ramsay Rink gained 3 Points plus the important 2 Ends.  The Anderson side also gained 2Ends but ended with 5 Points.  After 3 Ends 37 =3Pts – 2 Ends v Pen =8 Pts-4 Ends.

As expected the ’37 Boys’ came back in end 4 with both teams taking the End.

Pressure was starting to build especially when our opposition gained 3 Ends against our 1 End.  With the 6^thEnd finished, the scoreline looked good for Davis and Williamson as they had 7 Ends against our 5 Ends.  They were also up by 2 Points.

All 16 players were scrutinising play on both sheets throughout the game but going into what would be the final End concentration was amplified.

Thankfully, Team Anderson finished their challenge with a win of 3 Points. The scorecard now read 37 Club 7 Ends while Penicuik only had 6.   This left the final scoreline in the hands of Team Ramsay.  After giving up a 2 in the 6^th End they had what should be the benefit of last stone.  Both opponents swapped places with winning stones but when it got to the Skip Stones Williamson drew to Craig’s scoring stone in the back of the house. The front of the house was open, however there had been a huge draw throughout the game which put extra pressure on the final shots.  Penicuik was able to draw on top of that stone but the 37 Skip replied with an accurate draw to sit just to the side of the Button but with 75% of the stone behind the Tee Line.  It was all down to the final stone to secure a Peel in Ends.  Deep breath and the stone was delivered and expertly tended by Kirsty McWillaim and Stuart Blackwood all the way down to sit on the side of the 37 Stone to bite the Button.

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Phew! The Williamson/Ramsay score sat at 5 Points each but Team Ramsay with 4 Ends against 3. Davis/Anderson ended in a win of 4 Ends to 3 for Davis however the Anderson Team managed to gain a win on Points with a 8-6 win.

It was obvious that both sides were unsure about the final score as the scorecards were reviewed several times.  

The Trophy was presented to Penicuik by Mike Williamson.

FINAL SCORE                  

37 CLUB              7 ENDS    11 POINTS PENICUIK 7 ENDS 13 POINTS            

The new season’s curling started for us on the 6th October with our Opening Bonspiel – 32 players including 3 new members, 8 teams on the ice, a bit of reminding ourselves how to play, and a lot of fun. 

We were joined for our post-bonspiel meal by some more playing and social members, and by our Patron, Sir Robert Clerk and Lady Faye Clerk. The new caterers had a number of teething troubles, which we hope will resolve quickly. 

Sir Robert kindly presented the trophies; Craig Brown and his team Reg Dunbar, Paul Clapperton and Debbie Belcher received the lovely Little Mermaid booby prize; while President David and his team Alex Moir, Neil Lackie and David Ballantyne carried off the winner’s trophy.

 

A good start to the new curling year. 

by Modest President David