Kennedy Pairs

 After a 3 year gap following the closure of Ayr Ice Rink, 8 Gangrel stalwarts formed 4 Rinks to compete in the Kennedy Pairs competition as shown in the Fixture List Issue 2 at Greenacres on Mon 12 Jan.  It was structured as a knockout with 4 ends and 3 stones each to lead in to Low and High Road finals.  In the first round, David Gray and David Stubley faced Peter Galloway and Gordon Todd which was a close run fixture ending equal on shots and ends.  In the resolving draw to the button, David Gray bettered Peter Galloway's shot to win and move into the High Road Final.  Next up, Ally Henry and Gillian Watson faced off against Ronnie Peat and Jimmy Niblock to take a decisive single in the last end to win and also move in to the High Road final.

After a short break, Galloway/Todd and Peat/Niblock played in the Low Road Final.  The formers were 4 shots up going in to the 3^rd end but the latter pair took a single and then lay 3 which Peter Galloway could not displace.  Having peeled, the draw to the button saw Peter do so exactly to win.

In the High Road, Gray/Stubley v Henry/Watson, the formers lead the way and kept their noses in front to win 3-2 in a close and highly competitive round.  David Gray and David Stubley therefore win the Kennedy Pairs Trophies which will be awarded at the AGM on 23 Mar."

President's Cup

 Following the excesses or otherwise of the festive period, 4 Rinks from Gangrels and A&A met on the restored ice at Greenacres following their new ice plant minor repairs in the first round of the President's Cup League on Mon 5 Jan 26.  Gangrels 1 (B Cherry (S), Peat (sub Watson), Niblock (sub McFadzean), Mutter) shook New Year hands with Gangrels 2 (Charters(S), R Wilson, Galloway, Lawrence) on Sheet D while A&A1 (Baines (S), Graham, Todd, J Cherry) did the same with A&A 2 (Mitchell (S), Shanks, Haddow, Thow) on Sheet C.

Gangrels 2 took early steals in  the first 2 ends to be 4 up going in to the 3rd.  Gangrels 1 then took singles in the next 2 ends to reduce the deficit but Gangrels 2 kept ahead with some adroit guard

 defence to take the final 3 ends to win 9-2.

      

Rink  Skip    Played  W D L   Points Ends+   Ends- Shots+ Shots- Position

Gan 1 Cherry 1      0 0 1 0 2 5  2              9               4

A&A1 Baines 1 1 0 0 2 4 2 13              4               2

Gan 2 Charters 1 1 0 0 2 5 2 9              2               1

A&A2 Mitchell 1 0 0 1 0 2 4 4             13               3

Gan 3 Gray 0 0 0 0 0 0        0 0 0              0                 5=

A&A3 Wilson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0     0                 5=

Drew Duncan Quaich

 "The last Club competition of 2025, the Drew Duncan Quaich, took place at Greenacres on Mon 15 Dec with 4 Rinks participating.  This event involved playing 8 Ends with each member of the Rinks playing 2 Ends in each of the  Rink positions (Lead, Second, Third and Skip) in rotation.  Rink 1 (Charters, Cattanach, Watson, Cherry) faced a reduced Rink 2 (McFadzean, Gray, Stubley) who were missing a player due to sudden compassionate circumstances but David Stubley's return fitness to play, especially at short notice, was very welcome.  Sheet D suited Rink 1 who took charge from the outset and scored in every End, other than the 3^rd, to close the game 15-2 winners.  On Sheet C, Rink 3 (Chapman, Hogg, Todd, Peat) were against Rink 4 (Graham, Mutter, Niblock, Galloway) with play results much more closely matched.  Rink 4 opened the scoring and were 5-1in the lead by the midway point but Rink 3 replied by taking 2 singles in the 6^th and 8^th Ends to allow Rink 4 to shake hands as winners 8-3 over 5 Ends.  No scores had been recorded on the scoreboards during the games so no-one was aware of progress throughout the games or the endings."

Once the scorecards had been scutinised, the overall winners were declared as Rink 1 (R. Charters, D. Cattanach, G. Watson, B Cherry) who were congratulated on their prowess and will be awarded the trophy at the AGM on Mon 23 Mar 26.

COMBINED CLUB PLAY AT NORTH WEST CASTLE

 For the first time, A&A and Gangrels combined to take all 4 sheets of ice at North West Castle and formed 8 Rinks to play a series of festive social curling games on Wed 10 Dec.  Gangrels Pres Fraser welcomed everyone with play then starting for the morning session at 1000 after hot drinks and bacon butties for those who wanted either or both to revive themselves from the long drive to Stranraer in what could have been testing weather conditions.  The ice was keen and true, the festive garbs worn varied and colourful, the Hotel staff reception embracing and there was a keen sense of anticipation for what was to be a splendid day's curling.  At the end of the morning session, it was evident that the Rink structures were very close in capability with the results reflecting little in the way of marked variations in score.  Two sets of peels and 2 winners.  All a good baseline for the afternoon session starting at 1315 where the morning Skips became Leads and Rink oppositions changed as did the ice allocated.

All of this was after a most enjoyable snack lunch of soup, sandwiches, mini tray bakes and hot drinks.

Blood sugar levels restored, participants then took to the ice once again with fervour, banter and the will to win one of the 3 sets of prizes in Santa's good boys and girls play bag!  Again, much competitive play was enjoyed before all retired to the Lounge area while the day's results were analysed and tabulated.  A&A Sec Jane presented the prizes to the winners who were:

First:  David Gray, Allan Mitchell, Chris Clow and Paul Williams.

Second:  Gillian Watson, Euan Lawrence, Richard Morrison and Allan McKinley.

                                Third:   Ernest Mutter, Bob Cherry, Gordon Todd and Jenny Bloomfield.

"

The Rosebowl

"The round robin scheduling for the Rosebowl competition in the Fixture List concluded on Mon 1 Dec and the final results for the 3 rounds played are as follows:

Winners;   Gangrels 2 Rink comprising selection from R Charters, P Galloway, E Lawrence, J Niblock and D Graham

Second:    Gangrels 3 Rink comprising selections from D Gray, P Reynolds, F Hogg, A Henry and E Mutter.

Third:        Gangrels 1 Rink comprising selections from D Cattanach, S McFadzean, B Cherry, G Watson, R Peat, A Chapman.

The trophy will be awarded at the AGM."

Fraser Cup

 Results from last week's game were

Ronnie Wilson (A & A)  5 shots, 3 ends 

Ed Baines     (A & A)   6 shots 4 ends

Gillian Watson (Gangrels) 5 shots 3 ends

Ernest Mutter (Gangrels)  7 shots 4 ends  

 Latest Positions

RINK       SKIP    PLAYED  WON DRAWN  LOST Pts ENDS + ENDS -  SH+ SH - Place

Gangrels 1 Watson     4       3        0        1       6      16       12       31    18           2

 

A & A 1      Baines      4       2        0        2       4       12      16       26    26           4

Gangrels 2 Lawrence  4       3         0       1        6       17      12       32   23           1

   

A & A 2      Mitchell     4       1        1        2       3       12      17        20    25           5

Gangrels 3   Mutter     5       2        1        2       5        21      14       33    26           3

A & A 3      R Wilson    5       1        0       4        2        14      28       24    33           6

FRASER CUP LEAGUE ROUND 5 RESULTS

"Rinks from A&A and Gangrels met in the 5^th Round of the Fraser Cup League at Greenacres on Mon 17 Nov with the Rinks from each Club in direct opposition to each other.  On Sheet C, Gangrels 2 (Lawrence (S), Galloway, Charters, Niblock) faced Gangrels 3 (Gray (S), Mutter, Henry, B Cherry) and it had all the hallmarks of being a game of the titans with Gangrels 2 top of the league and Gangrels 3 close behind at 3rd.  The ice was keen and very swingy at both ends and it was clear from the outset that mastering line and pace was going to be crucial.  And so it proved with Gangrels 2 taking the first 2 ends with Gangrels 3 retaliating in the 3^rd to peel 3-3. It was nip and tuck thereafter with the hammer advantage being played but Gangrels 3 just kept their nose in  front to win 7-6 after 7 ends.

On Sheet D, A&A2 (Mitchell (S), H Kennedy, Shanks, J Cherry) had similar problems against A&A3 (R Wilson (S), Ireland, L Wilson, Haddow) but A&A3 also had the psychological pressure of having yet to gain points in the league.  But that they were then do in good style.  They lost singles in the first 2 ends but then bounced back in buoyant fashion to take 7 over the next 2 ends to lead 7- 3 going in to the 6th end.  Single shot successes in the final 2 ends resulted in A&A3 winning 9-3 and gaining 2 points in the league totals.

Indoor Grand Match

The RCCC's Indoor Grand Match was held throughout Scotland on Sat 15 Nov and the Gangrels took part at Greenacres against Helensburgh 2.  Traditional Grand Matches used to take place on frozen lochs whenever weather conditions permitted but the indoor version was first held in 2000 to celebrate the millenium and due to its success has continued every 5 years since except in 2020 when it was cancelled due to the pandemic.  

Billed as a battle between the North and South of Scotland, this year's event brought together 1560 curlers from 281 clubs competing in 390 teams and stands as one of the largest single-day mass participation sporting events in the country.  

As in the traditional format, an imaginary line is drawn between the Rivers Forth and Clyde to divide the country into North and South. Matches are played similtaneously over 3 sessions at the 12 participating Ice Rinks with scores tallied at the conclusion of all games.  The side with the highest total points is declared the winner.

Greenacres had orchestrated their hosting of the IGM in a most memorable, fitting and pleasing manner so there was a real buzz as competitors paraded on to the ice in Sheet order behind a piper.  The Gangrels Rink (Ronnie Peat (S), Bob Cherry, Peter Galloway, Fraser Hogg) playing for South, stepped up to the Sheet D hack against Helensburgh 2 (Ian McArther (S), David Forrest, Ian Chatten, George Kerr) representing North.  The ice was keen and swingy with Gangrels taking a single in the first end but then rocked by losing a 4 in the second.  Shaken but not stirred, Gangrels then took the next 2 ends to lead 6-4 at the halfway point when brooms were stacked and glasses of amber nectar served.  Warmed up, play recommenced with Gangrels taking singles in the next 2 ends to lead 8-4 at the 6^th with 2 culminating ends to go but here Helensbugh 2 came back fighting to score 2s in both ends to peel 8-8 which was a fitting end to a good game.

A few more drinks and game analysis over a pleasant 2 course lunch concluded the day and both teams headed their seperate ways home North and South in the sun.

The overall result of the Ambassador Cruise Indoor Grand Match was another win for the South, this time 1356 - 1287 over the North."