Played 5th January, 2025

The first game of the New Year might have been The Outdoor Medal but it was not to be and The Club Challenge took the place. Keith Morris put together a team of Martin Hobbs, Jean Noble and Norrie McLean to challenge Team Ramsay with Stuart Blackwood, Alan McDonald and Alex Moir who were the holders of the Crook.

It took Seven hard fought ends to determine a result in the first challenge of the season. Team Ramsay won the toss and managed a single point after a difficult first end. The Ice was keen and there appeared to be a huge last minute draw with most stones. However, not all stones performed to the same lines and this continued through the whole game. We later found that the stones had been given a ‘rub down’ over the Christmas break. End 2 went to Morris and 3 to Ramsay and then 4 to Morris with each scoring only 1 point in each. End 5 saw another 1 added to Team Ramsay. It was now Morris 2 and Ramsay 3. It appeared to be that everyone would take shots each winning the end where they had the hammer. In end 6 things looked a bit different with Morris lying with 4 with 1 stone left by each Skip. Jim Ramsay had tried to draw to the Shot stone with his first stone but was caught out by the sometimes massive draw. Keith had similar bad luck to guard the gap. The line in had been close with the first stone played, so it made sense to play the same again but be more ready for the draw. This time however, Team Ramsay’s stone did not draw as expected but did get a chance rub off one of their front stones. Stuart at Third saw the possible result and called Alex and Alan to sweep the stone into Shot. Unfortunately the stone was wide open for Keith to take with his last stone. Just like the opposition last stone, it didn’t draw and sailed passed the Blue counter. A slight advantage was now with Team Ramsay as the card read Morris 2 and Ramsay 4. End 7 was to be the final end. It was one of those ends that was played out at the back of the house (never good). Ramsay was determined to hold the Morris team to a maximum of 1. All yellow stones were put out of shot by excellent play by team members. By the last stone there was now a bank of Blue stones to come to for Keith who did take advantage and score a 1. Final Score Morris 3 and Ramsay 4. Team Ramsay retain The Crook until the next Challenge comes along. At this time it is a rink led by Kyle Baptie scheduled for 15th March but someone else may challenge before then. Well done to all players on the night with a special mention to Alex Moir who’s shoes came to pieces. Don’t worry! A new pair has been purchased for the next challenge. We did not go upstairs to relive the game because there was an anxiety to get home due to weather conditions.

Report by Jim Ramsay (trying to be non biased)