First Game of Season - Fraser Cup Game 1

The first round of the Fraser Cup and first game of the new season was played at Greenacres on Mon 7 Oct with modified Rinks 3 and 4 competing for the first result of the new season.  It had been a bumpy start with Greenacres having to delay their opening date due to ice pad problems and 4 of the nominated players as shown in the Fixture List being unavailable to compete.  As a consequence,  2 Reserves and 2 of the nonplaying members from Rinks 1 and 2 magnanimously stepped in to fill the gaps.  

President Donald welcomed everyone to a well appointed Greenacres venue and sparkling ice which was to prove testing in its keenness but relatively unpredictable swing.  At the end of the second end, Rink 4 (R Peat (S), P Galloway, D Haddow and A Chapman) had a 3 stone lead.  But this did not last long.  Rink 3 (E Lawrence (S), D Gray, S Bloomfield and D Cattanach) clicked in to top gear and took the next 4 ends in very competitive play.  At the close of the 7^th end, they were in the lead 5 - 4 with 5 minutes to the bell. 

The final and 8^th end was going to be close fought thing which they won by a single stone which had been well protected from the take out initiatives of Rink 4.  The final result was 6 - 4 to Rink 3 and all agreed that it had been a most challenging and enjoyable start to the new season.   The results table is shown below.

                                      FRASER CUP RESULTS 2024/25

                                                       Week 1

The league table can be found by clicking here.

The next game on 14 Oct is the first of the 6 mini-league 2 Rink games against A&A and it is hoped that the standard of play seen today prevails and that both Gangrels Rinks win their games.

Rink 1:  J Begg, F Hogg, D Graham, S McFadzean

Rink 2:  D Cattanach, B Cherry, R Charters, A Chapman

Rink 3:  E Lawrence, D Gray, J Niblock, G Watson

Rink 4:  R Peat, P Galloway, P Reynolds, P Kennedy

 

Skips rotate as required and shown in the Fixture List on a game by game basis.

 

New Season Fixture List

 The fixture list is now available on our website.  Just click on the link to fixtures at the right of this page.

Annual General Meeting

 The AGM Minutes have now been published and can be found by clicking here or by following the link on the RHS of this page.

Final Games at Greenacres

 We could not have asked for nicer Spring like weather to facilitate the final games event at Greenacres on Wed 13 Mar.  Eighteen players and the Treasurer as a spectator enjoyed a very pleasing 2 sheet social but competitive afternoon slot followed by an equally satisfying snack lunch of homemade soup (2 choices), fresh tasty sandwiches and tea/coffee.  

Team Henry (Henry, Cherry, Cattanach, Hogg and A Hay) faced Team Stubley (Stubley, Peat, Graham, Galloway and G Hay) on Sheet B with Team Henry taking 6 of the 7 ends played to win 11-1.  Next to them on Sheet C, Team McFadzean (McFadzean, Charters, Gray and Reynolds) stood too against Team Lawrence (Lawrence, Wilson, Niblock and Haddow) and mirrored the trends of Sheet B by losing 7 of the 8 ends played with Team Lawrence winning 12-1.  

The combined winners prowess must have impressed the local ladies Rink playing on Sheet A who enquired where the Gangrels came from and why they were all taller than 6 feet with inordinate sweeping ability.  Some of our players must have been keeping a low profile while their attributes were being observed but nevertheless it was nice to know our play ability was being admired!!  It was a splendid end to what has been a trying and uncertain season with play at a number of differing venues and much enjoyed by all who participated.

PROVINCE KNOCK OUT REPORT - 28 FEB 24

 

Gangrels Team Henry (Henry, Cherry, Mutter and Galloway) faced Sorn in the quarter finals of the Province Knock Out on Wed 28 Feb at Greenacres in a late evening slot.  Five sheets were in play so it was a lively, spirited and very competitive atmosphere with many Ayr centric well known faces to the fore.

  The weather conditions for the drive to and from the venue were demanding but this was all good preparation for the curling task which was to follow which was to be equally challenging. The first end set the scene as it was blanked but Sorn then took  a shot in the next 2 end to lead.  Gangrels quickly responded by taking the next 2 ends to lie 2-2 at the 5^th end.  And then we lost the edge against some very tactically adroit considerations and takeout/guarding shots from Sorn to lose the next 3 ends in very close play to finally shake hands at the close of the 8th end losing 2-6.  

The result would have been even closer were it not for an unfortunate pick up by the very last Gangrels and match stone which was disappointing.  For those who may be interested in spectating, the semi final of this Province event will take place at Greenacres at 2030 on Mon 18 Mar.  The final will be held on Tue 26 Mar at 2030, again at Greenacres.

PRESIDENT’S CUP - FINAL ROUND REPORT

 The last round of the President's Cup and final internal club competitive game for this season took place at the GALLEON on Tue 20 Feb.  Team Port (Begg, Cattanach, McFadzean and Stubley) already had an unassailable lead in the overall competition but Team Starboard (Peat, Galloway, Charters and Kennedy) looked forward to breaking their duck in the series and close on something of a high.  

They opened the scoring with a single shot in the first end on unaccustomed relatively keen and swingy ice.  However Team Port came straight back at them with a 2 in the next end to take the lead but then things stagnated.  Team Starboard won the next 4 ends with a particularly welcome score of 4 in the fourth end to lead 8-2 going in to the final end.  

Team Port tried hard for a high score to conclude the game but Team Starboard kept the house clear to peg their loss to a 2 and shake hands 8-4 winners. The results table is shown below.

Rink           Played Won Drawn Lost Points Ends+ Ends- Shots+ Shots- Position

Port                3        2         0         1        4         10       12      20         21          1

Starboard      3        1         0         2        2         12       10      21         20          2

Stranraer Visit 15th February

Sixteen Gangrels made up 4 Rinks for the end of season social day's curling at North West Castle on Thu 15 Feb.  Despite a driech weather drive to the venue, everyone made it on time and spirits were soon lifted by the quality of ice, ambience, food and support overall which was, once again, first class.

The competition scoring was based on cumulative shots up with the morning Rinks being swopped for play on different sheets in the afternoon session.  Team Hogg (Hogg, Galloway, Wilson and Dunlop) faced Team Graham (Graham, Cattanach, Hope and McFadzean) while Team Niblock (Niblock, Watson, Peat and Mutter) played Team Gray (Gray, Reynolds, Cherry and Charters) in the morning session on sheets 3 and 4.  At the snack lunch break, Team Gray were an impressive 12 shots up with Team Graham contending in second place with +6.

After a most enjoyable lunch of homemade soup, filling fresh made sandwiches and tea/coffee, the Rinks moved back on to the ice on sheets 1 and 2 with the leaders Team Gray facing Team Graham and Team Hogg against Team Niblock.  The giant tussle on sheet 1 saw Team Graham overhaul the overall lead held by Team Gray to win by a cumulative +10 shots with Team Gray now in second place with +8.  President Gillian presented the prizes to the winning Rink.