President v Vice President

This was a match that Simon, 'oor president' had to win, to save Graeme's blushes from last years engraving error.  It was fair to say that Simon was feeling the pressure, which was increased due to his temporary reliance on the delivery stick.
This turned out to be an exciting match that went down to the last stone of the last match.
Each of the two games were one sided with Simon receiving a skelping from John, 7 - 2.  The other game with James P playing for the President against our new Wingate winner, Willie saw the game go in favour of the President.  After six ends they were leading 5 - 3 however a mis-communication between the Vice Pres and his depute, Willie, saw him remove one of James's stones.  This mathematical error left James with a tricky draw for a four, which he made, to take his game 9 - 4.
The aggregate saw Simon squeeze home with a margin of 11 - 10.
The game was followed by an enjoyable meal.

Wingate Willie

Willie with memories of
past achievements

The final round saw Team Kerr and Team Nicoll both in with a chance.
Things were looking good for Willie as he faced last years champion Andy McDiarmid, who in a reversal of fortune was propping up this years rankings.  Andy faced him with a surprise up his sleeve, with Graeme benched, Dave Munro was hastily substituted.  Andy got off to a great start with a five in the first end and try as he might Willie was never able to catch up.  The final score 9 - 6 and only Andy's second win of the season.
This defeat left Morgan with the chance of the title, A win and at least 4 ends were required.  Fate was about to take a hand though, through another late substitution.  Morgan did not play and left his son and heir to take the glory, but he was to be aided (?) by Scottish Junior Champion (and daughter of Willie !!) Rowena.  But it was not to be with Sandy waiting until the seventh end to get out the blocks against James Pate's squad.  Final score, Lots - 1.
With both championship leaders failing to win, the championship went to Willie Kerr, whose name will appear on the Rosebowl for the first time.

Pairs Winners

Despite only managing to turn out 12 instead of 16 players, the competition was still keen with James Pate and Charles Young having to face 2 'Draw Shot Challenges'.  The first got them through to the Low Road Final, the second lost them the final.

Congratulations to Morgan and Shelagh for taking the High Road and to 'Team Andy' ie. Aberdein and Kinnaird for winning that 'Draw Shot' to take the Low Road.

Andy Aberdein deserves particular mention as this is the third year in a row (and fourth year out of five) where he has figured on the winners list, although the last two years have been the high road.

Here is a condensed report on the event:-

Here's a condensed report.

 

Round 1

Andy Aberdein and Andrew Kinnaird beat John Good and David Wyllie 6 - 2.

Dave Munro and Simon Kesley beat James Pate and Charles Young by 6 - 1

Morgan Nicoll and Shelagh Main beat Sandy Nicoll and Richard 5 - 2.

 

Sandy and Richard progressed to Round 2 by having taken two ends to John and David's one.

 

Round 2 a

Morgan and Shelagh beat Dave and Simon 6 - 2

Sandy and Richard beat Andy and Andrew 5 - 2

 

Round 2 b

In this game James and Charles pealed with John and David 4 - 4. James won the draw shot challenge to take him and Charles forward.

 

'Low Road' Final

James and Charles pealed with Andy and Andrew 2 - 2 and with two ends each. Andy won the draw shot challenge and the Low Road for him and Andrew. Well done both.

 

High Road Final

The game between Morgan and Shelagh versus Sandy and Richard was fought as keenly as any on the day. Each won two ends, but Morgan and Shelagh took the title with four shots to three.

As usual, this game was played not only on the ice but on the gallery. Had the result been determined by the stones played by the experts on the gallery they would all have been perfect.......but the real game was played on the ice by four good players who well deserved the applause they got for showing us an exciting Pairs game.

Congratulations to Morgan and Shelagh. No doubt at all that Sandy and Richard will be back to give the Pairs another go next year.

 

Thanks to Secretary Graeme for marshalling players for our Pairs Competition. Thanks also to David Wyllie and others who devised a formula to give us all as many games as possible, given that six pairs don't easily lead to the Club's usual split after the first round into a high and low roads. Let's all see what we can do to get a full sixteen forward next year. 

John R Good

Pairs, Practice and Dinner

All

Just a reminder of what's to come

PAIRS COMPETITION - SUNDAY 25th JAN @ 3.45pm

Currently we have playing Andy Aberdein, John Good, Shelagh Main, Dave Munro,

Morgan Nicoll, Sandy Nicoll, Richard Taylor, Roy Black, Lindsey Nicoll, Lorna Nicoll,

Dave Wyllie, Charles Young, Julie Cadzow (and Simon non playing)

 

We need at least 3 more players,

Please drop me a text/email if you want to/can play.

 

 

PRACTICE/ COACHING/ COME & TRY - THURSDAY 5th FEB @ 5.30

We have some spare ice on Thursday 5th Feb at 5.30.  We will be using it as practice ice

and will have some informal coaching if anyone wants.

If you want to come along or if you know someone that wants to try curling please call me

on my mobile or drop me a text or email.

 

 

ANNUAL DINNER

Dont forget the dinner, I will be sending round invites shortly but make sure its in your diary

Friday 13th March 2015.

Viva the Oldies

Congratulations to the Oldies, on managing to stem the tide of youngster victories.

Below is a match record from our roving reporter, Dave Munro:-

On sheet 1 the oldies team of Morgan, Simon, Andy (Aberdein) and Hugh took on the slightly more youthful Sandy, Rowena, Karen and Lorna (Shaw) in a serious father v son battle for supremacy while on sheet 2 a much younger (at heart) oldies squad of Dave, Willie (Kerr), John (Good) and Graham (Elder) squared up against youngies Lindsey, Jack and Becca Elder . (I note that Willie didn't face his daughter - ed.)

Both games were played with plenty of enthusiasm and while Dave’s rink were gradually moving ahead leading 6-0 after 4 ends, the Nicoll family were in a real tight match at 3-3 after 4. In ends 5 & 6 on sheet 2, however, Lindsey and her team sprung to life and score a 2 and a 1 to bring the match to 3-6. Meanwhile, back on the other sheet, Sandy scored a 3 off his dad and at this point in the evening, both matches were 6-3 meaning the overall match was tied at 9-9. 

However with Dave and Morgan both scoring 2’s at their next ends then Lindsey only getting a 1 in their last end while Sandy and Morgan blanked their last, the overall outcome was a win for the wonderfully talented but modest oldies with a combined score of 13-10 in their favour, (Final scores Morgan 5 - Sandy 6 and Dave 8 – Lindsay 4). 

A close result in a very enjoyable competition which gives the older members a taste of victory which has gone the way of the young ones for the past couple of years.

Dave.

Watch out for a youngster backlash next season !

How to Curl ?

I have added a short 2 minute animated guide to the sport of Curling in the links section, just in case anyone had forgotten over the break.  The guide is short, snappy and well put together, if you can forgive the North American terms (rocks, feet etc.).  I consider it well worth pointing out to prospective new curlers.

Welcome Back

Happy New Year.
The second part of the season kicks off with our annual Young v Old match on Monday 12th Jan at 5.30pm.
Just a reminder, the Young are on for a hat trick of wins.