The 2022-23 curling season officially came to an end on Saturday 11th March in a hugely busy day at Murrayfield Curling Rink. Penicuik players were amongst many taking to the ice for their Closing Bonspiel. Two unfortunate last minute call-offs and some frantic phone calls on Saturday morning to get replacements led to last minute changes to the published teams. Nevertheless, everyone was eager to make the most of the competition and enjoy the ice for the last time.

With score cards written, and with clear instructions on order of play and opposing team at the end of each sheet, the fun began.

The Mary McConnell Trophy and Medal presentations took place at the rink before the majority of players headed over to the Murrayfield Hotel to enjoy a delicious buffet meal after the event.

Many thanks to Jean Lennie for sponsoring the event and providing the prizes, and to the social committee for organising the final event of the season.

Report by Jean Noble

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

In an exciting end to the season, and with just the final matches left to play in both the Kettle and Thirds Competitions, the winners have now been decided.

Clear winners of the Kettle with 18 points and a game still in hand are Dave Anderson’s rink of himself, Kirsty McWilliam, Andy Cameron and Graeme Cassie. Dave was run very close by Craig Brown’s rink who finished in second place on 17 points.

Crucial matches were played last night in the Thirds Competition with Kirsty McWilliam’s rink looking favourite but playing Pam Ramsay, and Martin Hobb’s rink still in contention but needing a win against Liz Anderson. Very close games on both sheets resulted in a defeat for Martin and a win for Kirsty taking the points against Pam with her final stone of the match.

Many congratulations to Dave, Kirsty, Andy and Graeme in winning the Kettle League and to Kirsty, Jim Hume, David Ballantyne and Saho Arakawa as winners of the Thirds League.

In the second Club Challenge of the season, on 22nd February, the ‘dream team’ of Margaret, Liz, Jean and Pam successfully retained the Challenge Crook after winning against a team of ‘young pretenders’ with Craig as Skip, supported by Kirsty, Karen and Stuart.

The first end was a tense affair with each side trying to gauge the speed and draw of the ice, but with Craig lying 3 shots and last stones to play, Margaret played a brilliant wick and curl in to win the end by 1. Liz drew to the button in the second, leaving her stone well hidden and unreachable by Craig’s rink in an end which finished with 12 stones in play. Ladies now +2.

Craig’s rink took the initiative in the third and were 3 up in a crowded house, before Margaret played a double stone tap back against her own rink’s well placed early stones to win again by 1. With huge swings at the start of the fourth end, play was rather one-sided with ever widening draws requested. Craig’s rink was left with a definite advantage before an uncharacteristic error in knocking out his own stones gave the surprised ladies a further 2 to lead 5-0. This was exciting stuff and the game was beginning to draw comment from adjoining rinks.

The curse of the fifth end rang true for the ladies, and with Craig’s team building a number of stones in the house, and the ladies’ only option to try to cut the score down, the challengers ended up winning by 4 stones. After consistent play by his leading players in the 6th end Craig took the win by 1, leaving the scores all square at 5 each.

Both teams settled down for the deciding end with renewed focus. Opening play resulted in an amazing series of draws right onto the centre line by both team’s players ever nearing the button. With only 2 final stones to be played, the holders were lying shot and with a wick and curl as the only option, Craig’s final stone was unsuccessful leaving the jubilant holders to shake hands. Final score 6 – 5 to the ladies.

As always, this challenge was played in the best of competitive spirits, with some friendly banter exchanged over drinks upstairs after the match.

Once safely esconced in their transport for the journey home, the ladies enjoyed their own ‘Del Boy and Rodney’ moment with shrieks of glee and laughter heard from the car. They were hardly going to be millionaires but who would now dare say that the ladies were one-hit wonders.

Report by Jean Noble

The home for another piece of Club silverware has now been decided!

Congratulations to Dave Carr and his rink of Dave Anderson, Jim Cowper and Vic Ramage , winners of this season’s Knockout Competition after defeating David Gillespie’s rink of Kirsty McWilliam, Jim Hume and Graeme Cassie in a well fought game.