"Fourteen Gangrels and 2 Spouses (Margaret Morrison and Linda Wilson), the latter who were kindly filling in gaps in available Playing Members, made up 4 Rinks for a day's Christmas cheer social curling at North West Castle on Wed 13 Dec. Our first Club visit in October had set the bar high in terms of quality of ice, ambiance, food, bar service and overall support. Once again, everything was first class and a must be there for the next scheduled visit in Feb 2024.
Friday, December 15, 2023
STRANRAER CHRISTMAS CHEER VISIT 13 DEC
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Fraser Cup Round 10
In nautical terms, Port is red and Starboard is green but in tonight's final round of the Fraser Cup at the Galleon, it was a whitewash! Team Port (Watson, Cherry, Gegg and McFadzean) sailed a course against Team Starboard (Galloway, Charters, Hogg and Morrison) which was true team event, incisive and achieved the result they aimed for.
Six ends were played on good ice and all were won by Team Port, even when Team Starboard thought they were well placed to break their duck, the measure determined otherwise! Team Port left the ice with their heads held high with a final win of 9-0 and an impressive overall total points win for the Fraser Cup. The results are shown here or click on the link opposite.
Friday, December 8, 2023
Gangrels Christmas Dinner
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
FRASER CUP ROUND 9 REPORT
Team Port (Watson, Begg and Cherry - Stubley still injured from his fall 2 weeks ago) continued its relentless quest for supremacy in the Fraser Cup against Team Starboard (Galloway, Charters, Peat and McFadzean) in the 9th round yesterday afternoon at the Galleon.
The ice was in fine condition and with 4 Rinks from A&A also playing at the same time as us followed by Rinks from Tarbolton and Symington, it was quite like the recent past when playing at Ayr! This was a close game initially on pleasingly keen and swingy ice which Team Port got the measure of very quickly and were 4-3 in the lead at the fifth end. Team Starboard thought they had secured a well hidden peel in the 6th end with just a hint of their lying stone showing behind 2 of Ports' but a superb back weight last stone from President Gillian ended that hope with them scoring 2.
They went on to take another 2 in the last end to win 8-3. One final round of the Fraser Cup to go on Tue 12 Dec at 1500. The results table is shown here or click on the side panel.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
FRASER CUP ROUND 8 REPORT
Team Port were sitting in the lead overall in the Fraser Cup series but Team Starboard could still win if they were successful in all the final 3 games this year. But was it to be - that is the question?! From the outset, on the best quality of ice at the Galleon we have had so far, Team Port (Watson, Graham, Cattanach and Mutter) made it clear they would be taking no prisoners.
Three up by the second end and playing consistently well as a Rink, they cast the gauntlet down to Team Starboard (Peat, Hogg, Galloway and McFadzean) with more to come. A 4 shot score in the fourth end saw them surge well ahead 7-1 and then take another 2 in the next end. Time and inspiration ran out for Team Starboard at the close of the sixth end and they shook hands losing 2-9.
With 2 games remaining in the series, Team Port's overall lead cannot be surpassed. The results table is shown here or click on the link in the side panel.
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
FRASER CUP ROUND 7 REPORT
With only another 3 rounds of the Fraser Cup to go before the end of the year and Team Port slightly in the lead, drawing level was the Team Starboard aim. Team Port (McFadzean, Stubley, Graham and Begg) took the lead in the first end but Team Starboard (Galloway, Peat, Hogg and Gray) did well to safeguard 4 lying stones in the second end. But then things changed, not all for the better!
David Stubley was intently watching the start of the 3rd end from within an adjacent sheet but failed to notice an inherently hazardous blob of ice from a leaking valve in the roof covering which he then stood on and was pitched head over heels to land heavily and crack his head on the ice. The game was stopped while assistance and medical checks by Jimmy Begg were conducted and David then escorted off the ice to recover and complete a near miss H&S report for the Galleon Centre administration. Regrettably he did not only injure his head but also suffered the effects of whiplash to his head and shoulders which terminated his ability to play any further.
Notwithstanding, Team Port, now being a player short, they drew level by the fourth end and then scored a 3 to take the lead. Try as they may, Team Starboard could not recover sufficiently and even in the last end when they were lying 4, Steell with his last stone pegged the lead to 1 and shook hands winning 7-6. The results table is shown here or click on the link in the side panel.
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Open Competition Reports
Rinks Championship Wed 1 Nov. Team Hope ( Hope, Cherry, Cattanach and Watson) faced up to Galston 1 in a late evening 1st round at the very pleasing ice and surroundings of Greenacres. The opposition was in top form and despite seeking to contain their prowess on the very keen and swingy ice, the Gangrels eventually lost 3-12.
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Fraser Cup Round 6
The heavy rain and flooding seen on the journey to the Galleon Centre on the afternoon of 14 Nov did not bode well for good curling. And so it proved! The high humidity produced a misty haze on the ice sheet and the ice itself was dour and generally unresponsive to inturn and outturn considerations. It was therefore clear that there was not only to be competition between Team Port (Cherry, Begg, Stubley and McFadzean) and Team Starboard (Charters, Galloway, Morrison and Chapman) but also contending with the unfavourable ice condition.
Notwithstanding, 8 ends were achieved with Team Port winning 6 of them and Team Starboard scoring 3 in the other 2. After 2 days of superb curling and social settings of Greenacres in the Eglinton Jug the previous weekend, the Galleon experience was again a significant disappointment only tempered by Team Port securing a well deserved victory 7-3. Team Port returns to the top position. The Fraser Cup results are shown here or click on the link to the side panel.
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Fraser Cup Round 5
We had some company in the rink tonight with 4 rinks from Symington joining us at the Galleon. They included Ernest & Jennifer Mutter and a lot of weel kent faces.
Robert Charters skipped the Starboard team to a 6-5 victory in a very close game. Starboard were two shots up at the last but Port were lying two shots with guards. Undaunted, Robert drew the 4 foot to cut them down to one shot and win the game.
The ice continues to make improvements.
Team Starboard thus moves to number one position by virtue of being two ends ahead.
The table is here or click on the link in the side panel.
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Fraser Cup Round 4
"Team McFadzean (Mcfadzean, Cherry, Graham and Cattanach) and Team Peat (Peat, Charters, Galloway and Morrison) had the ice rink at the Galleon to themselves for this afternoon event between 3.00 - 5.00pm. The ice was in fine shape and much keener than previous rounds which was a continued pleasure. Team Peat took the lead in the first end but thereafter the outcome was clear with Team McFadzean taking a 3 in the Second and Fourth ends followed by a 1 in the Sixth and a 2 in the Seventh. Team Peat struggled to recover with single shots in the Third and Fifth ends but it was insufficient to then shake hands with Team McFadzean winning 9-3."
Many thanks to Peter Galloway for the above report.
The Fraser Cup Table can be found here or by clicking on the link under Competition Results
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Fraser Cup Round 3
The 3rd round of the Fraser Cup took place at the Galleon on Tue 24 Oct with Peter Galloway subbing for Ronnie Peat who was competing at Greenacres in a Reform Cup event. Once again, the Galleon ice and environment was in fine shape for a very competitive game between Team Begg (Begg, Graham, McFadzean and Stubley) and Team Galloway (Galloway, Gray, Morrison and Charters). In the first end, Team Galloway secured a 3 shots lead but Team Begg quickly recovered their poise to score well in the next 2 ends to draw 3 all at the start of the 4th end. Thereafter, it was a very tight game with the final score of each end relying on the Skip stones. Team Galloway managed a single stone steal for the final 4 ends to shake hands 7-3 winners.
The table showing the results can be found by clicking on the competition results page for Fraser Cup.
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Highly Successful Visit to Stranraer
Fifteen Gangrels and guests who were to make up nearly 4 Rinks for a day's social curling at North West Castle on Wed 11 Oct had a superb day's curling both in the morning and the afternoon, with a light lunch of soup and sandwiches in between. The ice was in superb condition, keen and swingy, the competition spirit high, the food and drinks a delight and, overall, we were extremely well looked after. It was a real pleasure and one that should not be missed for future events.
New Season - Fraser Cup -
The first round of the modified format Fraser Cup took place at the Galleon on Tue 10 Oct between Team Charters (Charters, Hogg, Peat and Galloway) and Team McFadzean (Begg and Stubley). It was a new venue and experience for all the players but hugely demanding as the quality of the ice and atmospheric conditions on the ice pad were markedly different to the previously experienced at Ayr and adverse to quality of play.
Despite the unanimous reservations, play began and it was clearly going to be a struggle for everyone - other than Jimmy Begg who seemed impervious to the difficulties being faced by all the others! It was level pegging at 3 shots half way through the game but by the 7th end, Team McFadzean had a 2 shot lead. Notwithstanding, Team Charters fought back with a 2 shot steal in the last end to peel at 5 all. A trying experience but things are sure to get better and it was so good to get back on to the ice again as a Club."
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
84th Annual General Meeting
Our AGM was held in the Ice Rink on Monday 13th March after the Frame Salver and our usual excellent meal from Lorrie and his staff.
The minutes have now been published and these can be found by clicking here or by following the links on the side of the page.
We are delighted that our new President is Gillian Watson. Gillian's grandfather was one of the four founding members of our club. If you have not yet read about our first 50 years, there is a link, again at the side of the page, or by clicking here.
Presentation of Prizes
Sportsman's Award Fraser Hogg |
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
KENNEDY PAIRS RESULT
The penultimate Club competition of the season, the Kennedy Pairs, took place over 4 knockout sessions with 8 pair Rinks between 1430 and 1915. Much fun and periods of brilliant curling proficiency was had by all with spectators viewing from the gallery well placed to be wowed by some of the tactics involved and skilful stone draws to the button/guard/takeout. The final was a very close game between Ernest Mutter and George Hay and Alistair Henry and Ken Ross with Alistair and Ken prevailing to win 4-1. Well done all those who took part.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Kirkbride Rosebowl Final
Last night's final in the Kirkbride Rose Bowl competition saw Ernest Mutter, Bob Cherry, Jimmy Begg and David Stubley (Rink 6) face off against Peter Galloway, David Hope, Anne Hay and Peter Reynolds (Rink 5). From the start it had all the hallmarks of being something of a battle of the Titans but in the 3rd end Team Mutter secured a 4-shot score despite every effort to prevent them from doing so.
Notwithstanding being a potentially morale sapping 2-5 down at this stage, a spirited and determined team effort from their opposition resulted in a peel 4 ends to 3 (7-7) score in the final end and with the last Team Galloway stone soon after the bell had rung. The Skips then decided on an unassisted no sweep draw to the button as the means to decide who would win. Both stones were then drawn to the house with Ernest Mutter's just being closest to the button. A fine and well-deserved win to Ernest Mutter and his Rink 6.
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
KIRKBRIDE ROSEBOWL SEMI FINAL AND OTHER RESULTS
Last night saw the semi-finalists face off in the Kirkbride Rosebowl. Both games had a good development in shots up in the first 4 ends but then a fightback to redress the balance in the last 3 ends. In the last end, Gordon Todd had 2 shots well buried for a peel but with the last stone, Peter Galloway secured a winning tap up. The results were:
Earlier, on Sunday, four Gangrels represented the club at Ayr Curling Club's 50th Anniversary Bonspiel. This was an excellent day with three sessions of inter club games.
Our team was drawn to play in the last session and played well to beat a strong Ochiltree Club team, headed by Billy and Mungo Howat. Our team was Ronnie Peat, David Hope, Peter Galloway and Gillian Watson.
We were also playing on Monday in the semi final of the Ross Low Trophy. This time we were up against Crosshill. Our team of Richard Morrison, Ronnie Peat, Bob Cherry and Willie Scott had a very close game but lost to Crosshill after an extra end.
Monday, February 13, 2023
Kirkbride Rosebowl Round 1
Tonight saw us play the first round games in the Kirkbride Rosebowl. The results were as follows:
A
Jim Dunlop 8 Gordon Todd 3 (+/- 5)
B
Jimmy Niblock 4 Peter Galloway 10 (+/- 6)
C
Willie Scott 1 v Ernest Mutter 9 (+/- 8)
The draw for the games next week at 5.15 are therefore:
D Ernest Mutter (highest winner) v E Jim Dunlop (3rd Highest Winner)
F Peter Galloway (2nd highest winner) v G Gordon Todd (4th Highest Winner)
The two winners next week will play in the final on 27th February at 5.15 pm.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Robert Boyd Memorial Points
Fourteen of the Club membership took part in the competition for the Robert Boyd Memorial Points Trophy this evening over consecutive 1 hour slots and completed 6 of the set disciplines in the time allotted. The adjacent ice sheets allocated were markedly different which made consistency of delivery and scoring success something of a challenge. Sheet 1 was keen with little draw while Sheet 2 was slower and swingier! The winner and current trophy holder fresh from the West tour of Canada in the Strathcona Cup and still jet lagged, was David Hope with 26 points. Bob Cherry was second with 20 points and Peter Reynolds and Peter Galloway were 3rd equal with 19 points.
Thursday, February 2, 2023
Latest News from David Hope in Canada
As I write to you it is hard to believe that I will be leaving Canada in a couple of days time. Before I left I was counting the number of sleeps down. Once here I was counting the number of games played. Tomorrow I will play my final game in the Strathcona Cup 2023 which will be game 27.
Monday, January 30, 2023
President's Cup - Final Round
Hearty congratulations to the winners of this year's President's Cup. Steel McFadzean skipped the Gordon Todd rink to a 6-4 victory over Peter Galloway's team, skipped by David Graham. They certainly had a change of fortune after finishing last in the Fraser Cup in December. Richard Morrison and David Gray were the other team members.
Second place was taken by Ernest Mutter's team, with Bob Cherry at skip. They had 7 points, one short of the winners.
Another winner this week was Gillian Watson who has now skipped the Willie Scott team to third place. She had a great win, by 9 shots to 3 over Ronnie Wilson's team skipped by Peter Kennedy. Throughout this competition, Willie's team was last in the league. Results went in their favour tonight and third place was a great result.
The final table is here.
Next week is the Points competition. This is spread over two sessions as shown:
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
President's Cup Week 4
George Hay skipped Ernest Mutter's rink to a 6-5 victory over Gillian Watson, skipping the Willie Scott rink. It was a close game and it was good to see David Stubley subbing for the winners.
Another close game was the match between Jim Dunlop and Peter Galloway. Jim started well and built up an 8 shots to 1 lead after 4 ends. Peter's team then fought back and scored 5 shots in the next three ends to close to 2 shots behind. Regretfully, for them, the bell came soon enough to stop the game at that point, with the score 8-6 in Jim's favour.
Top of the table, though, are the team of Gordon Todd, who benefitted when there were only two players available for Jimmy Niblock's rink.
The league table can be found here.
Friday, January 20, 2023
Annual game with Ayr & Alloway
The second of our scheduled 3 friendly annual inter-club games was played on Thu 19 Jan against Ayr & Allolway. The 2 Gangrel Rinks were Skipped by Jim Dunlop (President's Rink) and Peter Galloway. As usual, both games were spirited and competitive with A&A winning 16-13 overall.
Team Dunlop won 10-8 against Team Alan Thomson, which included a 3 point penalty for being a player short, while Team Galloway struggled to recover from a 4 shot loss in the 3rd end to lose 3-8 against Team Alan Mitchell.
Lorrie and his catering staff produced an excellent menu selection of meals which was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who chose to stay on to dine together (13).
Monday, January 16, 2023
President's Cup Week 3
Last week the top 5 teams were separated by only one point. This week all six teams are separated by only 2 points.
Willie Scott's team, ably skipped by Gillian Watson, had a 5-3 victory over the previously unbeaten Peter Galloway team, skipped by David Graham (also very ably!)
Gordon Todd had a 6-3 victory over Jim Dunlop and Peter Kennedy skipped the Jimmy Niblock rink to a 7-4 win over Bob Cherry.
There are two weeks to go and everyone has a chance.
The league table can be found here.
David Hope in Canada
16 January 2023
David Hope is curling in the Strathcona Cup West Tour to Canada.
Here are the first two of his reports.
16th January
In the afternoon we played the members of the Tunnel Town CC. The games were competitive. Unfortunately we came of second best in these games.
This morning we are in Peace Town & this afternoon we travel to Royal City CC.
Signing off for now.
In the afternoon we played the members of the Tunnel Town CC. The games were competitive. Unfortunately we came of second best in these games.
This morning we are in Peace Town & this afternoon we travel to Royal City CC.
Monday, January 9, 2023
President's Cup Continues
The top 5 teams are separated by only one point after the second round of the President's Cup.
Ernest Mutter and Peter Galloway are top of the table, on three points, with Ernest in top position by virtue of having scored more ends.
In joint third place are the teams of Jimmy Niblock, Jim Dunlop and Gordon Todd. They have all won one and lost one and are not separated by very much. Have a look at the table here.
Willie Scott's team have yet to win, but there's always hope!
Monday, January 2, 2023
President's Cup - Week 1
The President's Cup, where skips play lead and everyone else moves up a place, started this evening. You will no doubt remember that I still name the team by the skip, although I try to give full credit to those actually skipping - an impossible task I hear you say, but it brings some help to those who struggle with complicated matters. (I don't mean you, Mr Secretary!)
Jimmy Niblock's team, to give an example, was skipped this evening by Alan Chapman, and he coped rather well. The final score was a win by 11 shots to 3, against Jim Dunlop's team. A fine start to the competition.
In second place is David Gray's team, skipped by Richard Morrison. They had a good win against Willie Scott, skipped by Donald Cattenach, the final score being 8 shots to 3.
The third game was very close, finishing tied at 6 shots each to Ernest Mutter and Peter Galloway. The skips were David Hope and Bob Cherry.
The league table for Week 1 can be found by clicking on this link,or on the President's Cup link at the top right hand corner.