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.

The Knock Out finalists have now been decided. Team Gillespie will play Team Carr on Saturday 18th February at 2.30pm.

Semi Finals took place on Sunday 5th February. With strong Skips and Thirds in both teams, it looked a reasonably even match in the first game between Dave and Margaret Carr. However, Dave’s Team played perfectly from Lead to Skip whilst, despite their best efforts, Margaret’s Team couldn’t break through. Final Score 10-1 to Dave C.

In the other Semi, David Gillespie’s rink took a 2 in the first end before Iain’s rink took a big lead with a 5 in the second. David gradually clawed back points but was still lying 5-7 down after the sixth end. In a tense seventh end, where both sides stones lay in the house, David drew his last to take another 2 and so level the score at 7-7. It was now down to the Skips to ‘draw the house’ and, with sweepers help, David’s stone finished on the outer ring whilst Iain’s came up short. Team Gillespie reach the final where they meet Team Carr. Good luck to both teams.

Report by Jean Noble

Many congratulations to Craig Brown who was declared winner of the Club Singles Competition on Saturday afternoon.

The draw had been made well before the date, with some intriguing contests to look forward to. However, a late call-off on Saturday morning resulted in some frantic phone calls to try and get an eighth player to plug the gap, before Ian Keron very kindly agreed to play instead of Reg who was unwell on the day.

First on the ice was the match between Jean and David Ballantyne , and on the other sheet Kirsty playing against Liz. After 4 ends of 4 stones, Jean and Liz progressed to the High Road semi final, with David and Kirsty going into the Low Road.

Next up, in the ‘battle of the giants’ , Craig won against Dave A who struggled a bit to find his weight whilst Iain Scott got his tactics right to come out on top against Ian Keron.

In the Low Road Semi Finals, Kirsty went on to win 7-2 against David B. whilst Ian Keron won 3-1 against Dave A. In a close game of take-outs and draws, Jean won 4-2 in the first High Road Semi against Liz, whilst Craig was triumphant winning 5-0 against Iain Scott in the other. Both finals were now decided.

6 ends of 4 stones each this time, and it is fair to say that Kirsty put up a very good show against Ian K. who had the tactical advantage. After some hard fought ends, Ian took the Low Road Winner spot by 7 stones to 3.

Jean at least managed a blank end at the first and did take 1 point from Craig, but ran out of steam towards the end and, despite some dexterous hand changes between cue and brush to sweep her stones, she was eventually overwhelmed by Craig who played some brilliant double take outs to win 5-1.

A big thank you is due to all who took part, as well as those stayed to cheer on the players and to Dave Anderson for sponsoring the event. (More details of the afternoons results can be seen in the Competitions Page).

Well done Craig – Singles Champion 2022-23.

Report by Jean Noble

Many congratulations to Karen Black and her rink of Dave Carr, Jean Cassie and Neil Lackie for winning the Marie Vinestock Trophy on Sunday 15th January, with a final score of +5

As is tradition, the Mid Season Bonspiel was skipped by the ladies, with some having their first experience of calling the shots. Geoff had balanced the teams as best he could but the outcome certainly threw up some surprises, with Margaret Carr’s rink of Geoff, Jim Hume and Alicia Neil looking very strong on paper, but ending up supporting the other rinks after 7 ends had been played. Final scores as follows:

Karen, Dave, Jean Cassie and Neil win on +5, Liz, David Ballantyne, Paul and Roger equal runners up with Linda, Reg, Nicki and Ian on +3 .

Jean’s 5 player rink of David Gillespie, Louise, Vic and Jarrad, welcomed as a new curler, finished even with net 0, whilst Saho, Dave Anderson, Graeme and Iain scored -1, and Margaret, Geoff, Jim and Alicia were in line for the Bonspiel Booby with a score of -10.

After the presentation of the Trophy and medals to Karen and her winning team on the balcony, the majority of players and partners congregated at Cibo’s restaurant for a welcome meal, drinks and chat before Jim Cowper, assisted by Craig, presented the remaining prizes to the winners and the also rans. The Bonspiel Booby has a new home.

Many thanks to Craig and Geoff for organising the event, the meal afterwards and the prizes. Also to Jim for his generous sponsorship. After missing a few years, it was great to see this enjoyable Mid Season Bonspiel back on the fixture list, and great to be able to welcome new players to our Club.

More photos are available in the Gallery.

Report by Jean Noble