The Next Generation

Following up on our President's charm offensive on social media, during the Olympics (which he then left to Graeme to sort out!).  We had eighteen people contact the club, wanting to try curling and perhaps join the club. 

After supplying them with lots of information, we finally arranged a Come and Try Experience, led by Graeme and assisted by Andy McD, Euan and Richard (their help was invaluable).  We ended up with 7 complete novices and one 'Lockerbie Boy', who had curled when at school.  The majority of the others were unable to make the date and will hopefully rearrange for the start of next season.

They were taught the rudiments of delivery and we then went on to have a competitive three end game.  There was definitely some potential on show, so hopefully we will see some of them in our ranks next season.

Big thanks again to my three helpers. 

Skins 25/26

The Wingate and the Rennie winners lined up against each other, to scratch their heads and to play the annual Skins game for the final bragging rights of the season.  

Both Team Nicoll and Team  Aberdein eased their way in by stealing for a skin each after the first two ends.  End three saw Team Aberdein with the hammer fail to get the required two shots, so the skins and the hammer rolled over (Our clubs own rules which were "New for 2017" apparently).  In a stroke of tactical genius from Morgan saw him only score only score a single therefore the skins rolled over again but giving him a better chance, ie a steal, of winning the kitty which was now standing at 10 points.

At this point, I will say that it had been a high quality of curling that had been played.  This did not hold true for the sixth end, where maybe all the players were tired and looking forward to the closed season. The sixth end saw, I think everyone, play a howler or two !

Whoever won the sixth end would take the title as insufficient skins remained available after that.  Team Morgan had maneuvered themselves into pole position, requiring a steal of one, while Team Andy had the more difficult prospect of needing a two, with the hammer.  As mentioned, if it could go wrong this end, it did.  Team Andy was sitting with the required two but Morgan, with his final stone had a double takeout to play.  His stone navigated the gap between the stones leaving Andy the option of not playing his final stone.  Relax dear reader, he didn't.

So, Congratulations to Andy Aberdein, Graeme Maguire, Lindsay McConnell and Susan Stanton.  This years Skins Winners. 

District Medal Game

 District Medal game.
A very tight game with Haddington loosing 4-3 against a very experienced and talented  Edzell team.  7 ends all going for single shots.  Haddington (John Good, Richard Taylor, Hamish Logan and skip Andy McD) went all out to steal at the last end up but faltered having been in the game up to this point. 
A chance for next year

The District Medal is a competition that dates back to season 1839-40 and continues to offer a friendly and social opportunity for clubs to play a one-off match against opposition they might not otherwise meet.

J. Good 

Wingate Showdown

 As predicted, the Wingate came down to the final game, between Team Morgan and Team Andy McD, helmed for the night by Graeme.  In order to pinch the title, the McDiarmid squad needed, not only to win, but to win by EIGHT ends.  The first couple of ends went to plan, then all hopes were dashed with Team Morgan taking the third end, and therefore the title.

The game was still alive until the Morgans final stone in the last end, which popped through a narrow port and lifted the shot stone.  This was the first time in the game that Team Nicoll Snr had been in the lead but the score at the final bell is all that counts.

So, Its congratulations to Morgan Nicoll, Euan Forbes, Jeff Lewis and Jennifer Reynolds 

Points Competition

Our trial points competition, sharing the ice with Aberlady appeared a successful event.  More players resulted in a more convivial atmosphere and all the players seemed to enjoy themselves.  

There were 3 new entrants this year and the age spanned from under 14 to over 70.

Morgan went from wooden spoon winner last year to leading into the final exercise (1 fewer exercises this year) 'Chip the Winner' with a comfortable lead, however his closest rivals both scored a maximum !  This resulted in only 1 point separating the top 3 players.  Morgan hung on with a winning score of 37 while Andy Aberdein and one of our under 14 reserves, Ali Breeze shared second place, with scores of 36.

Two players moved up in the 'all time high' charts, which can be found on  the results tab

    

Wingate - the closing stretch

 First up, thanks to Roy who has pointed out a couple of errors in the Wingate league and score tables.

These have now been corrected (fingers crossed).

Team Pate.

After the subterfuge of James Pate calling in rival Morgan to skip his rink against The McDiarmid outfit and losing (considerably) Morgan has now ensured that the Pate rink is out of the mathematical running to take a win, although second place is still possible.  

Team Nicoll (Morgan)

Still our leader and with a large edge in 'ends won', requires one win from their last two games (against Teams Pate and McDiarmid) to secure the crown.

Team McDiarmid

Realistically needs to win both their remaining games against both father and son Nicoll Squads.

Team Nicoll (Sandy)

Can act as the kingmakers and help his dad win by beating the McDiarmid rink.  However will probably be happy to secure their first points of the season and shed their winless record.

Rennie at 66% and a bit

With the competition having completed its second round (and a bit), it is fair to say that WE HAVE A
WINNER !

Congratulations to former president Andy Aberdein and his team of Graeme Maguire, Lindsey McConnell/Simon Kesley and Susan Stanton. They are the only team, in either competition, without a loss - but that has probably put a curse on them.  They did falter in last nights game losing five ends to two but none the less picking up a peel.  They were also the only rink on the ice (2 sheets) that had their skip playing!

Meanwhile, there is only ONE point and two ends separating the other three teams, so there are still things to play for.