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."

Gangrels Rosebowl Round 2

 The  second round of the Gangrels Rosebowl competition took place on Mon 10 Nov at Greenacres at 1000 between Rink 1 (Chapman(S), Cattanach, Cherry, R. Wilson (sub Peat)) and Rink 3 (Galloway(S)(sub Gray), Hogg, Mutter, Reynolds).  

We had the whole ice rink to ourselves other than practice ice on the sheets either side of us which was somewhat unusual as the focus was very much on what we were achieving, or not, on Sheet B which the ice technicians were particularly interested in as to its speed and swing.  We were soon to realise why as both factors were difficult to guage and variable over the first few ends.  

Despite the best efforts of Rink 1 to thwart the steady and consistent single scoring rate of Rink 3, they were unable to do so and with taking a concluding 2 on the final end, Rink 3 won 8-0.

Gangrels and Beresford Ladies

 The annual Gangrels/BL combined Club's social curling event took place at Greenacres on Wed 5 Nov with 10.00 am ice.  Four mixed Rinks took part and despite the date and  heavy rain, there were no fireworks or damp squibs but lots of banter, good humour, enjoyable curling and a very pleasant and convivial soup/sandwich/hot drink lunch afterwards!

We had been allocated ice Sheets A and B and on Sheet A, Rink 1 (Carol Simpson (S), Donald Cattanach, Una Semple, Peter Galloway) played Rink 2 (David Graham (S), Corrie Lawrence, Fraser Hogg, Sandra Taylor).  Rink 1 took the first and subsequent 6 ends without incurring a loss to win 13-0, albeit Rink 2 were very unlucky on a number of occasions not to have taken out lying stones or indeed wicked off to lie and score at least a single.  On Sheet B, Rink 3 (Gillian Macdonald (S), Euan Lawrence, Anne Naismith, Bob Cherry) and Rink 4 (Ronnie Peat (S), Sally McCandless, Jimmy Niblock, Joyce Arnot) locked horns in what was to become a game of 2 halves.  In the first 3 ends, Rink 4 scored well to lead 5-0 but then Rink 3 realised the gravity of their situation and set to with a will to take the next 4 ends to then shake hands 7-5 winners.

All 16 players then retired to the Lounge for a pre-ordered snack lunch which was, in the main, much enjoyed, albeit the soup was not to everyone's taste/palette but the sandwiches and company certainly were.  President Fraser summarised the results with Rink 1 being declared the outright winner and thanked Greenacres staff for their ice preparation, catering and event hosting.  President Carol thanked the Gangrels for arranging the event, all the players for their enthusiastic participation and expressed the hope that it would be repeated next year when BL would take the lead in arranging.

Fraser Cup Round 4

 The fourth round of the Fraser Cup League took place at Greenacres on Mon 3 Nov at 1000 where Gangrels 3 (Reynolds (S), Gray, Mutter, Henry) played A&A2 (Mitchell (S), H Kennedy, Shanks, Thow) on Sheet A and on Sheet B, Gangrels 2 (Galloway(S)(sub Stubley), Lawrence, Niblock, Hogg (sub Charters) played A&A1 (Baines(S), Graham, Black, J Cherry).  All of this in the aftermath of the weekend's Eglinton Jug busy match programme and spirited social gathering but the ice had been well restored and the lounge area cleared of the post award ceremony celebrations!

On Sheet A, A&A2 took an imposing 4 shot lead in the first end with another single in the 3^rd end to stay in front 5-1but Gangrels 3 kept their heads up and recovery determination in place to take singles in the next 4 ends to peel 5-5 at the close of the 7^th end.  On the adjacent Sheet, A&A1 started well to lead 4-0 going in to the 3^rd end but other than taking another 2 in the 6^th end, Gangrels 2 countered by winning 4 of the last 5 ends to win 9-6 overall at the end of the 8^th end which was started very shortly before the bell sounding and Gangrels 2 leading 7-6.

Eglinton Jug

 "  Twenty four curling Rinks were entered into the annual Eglinton Jug knockout competition over the weekend of 1^st and 2^nd Nov held at Greenacres.  The Gangrels Rink of R. Peat (S), B. Cherry, P Galloway, F Hogg had a bye in to the High Road 2^nd round against Sorn 3 (R. Clark (S), G. Thomson, A. Cameron, J. Johnson) which took place at 1230 on Sat 1 Nov on Sheet F.  The back sheets of ice had not been producing ice of the usual Greenacres quality since the installation of the new ice plant and these teething issues were again evident and the Gangrels struggled to cope with the vagaries of swing and speed while Sorn adapted much more quickly.  A loss of 4 in the first end was a warning and blow to the Gangrels but matters did not improve and only got worse with them not getting on to the board over the next 5 ends to lose 17- 0 and shake hands with bowed heads at the conclusion of the 6^th end.  The only benefit was an early drink and snack lunch before the 5 other occupied sheets finished their games and filled the bar area!

That loss saw the Gangrels Rink then scheduled to play in the 3rd round of the Low Road at 1830 against Curl Ayrshire 1 (D. Reid (S), M. Shaw, E. Shaw, L Collins) but this time on Sheet B in the main ice hall.  Buoyed up by an appreciable afternoon lunch break and the expecation of better ice and a more consistent playing performance, Gangrels set to with a will but were immediately deflated by losing the first 3 ends to be trailing 0-7.  A single shot win in the 4^th end lifted spirits but was short lived with recurring losses in the next 3 ends to see the game drawn to a premature close at the 7^th end with a loss 1-13 to Curl Ayrshire who had performed consistently well against  jadded Gangrels.

The competition continued on Sun 2 Nov with the High and Low Road semi finals and finals, neither of which had Gangrels participation!  The Eglinton Jug Trophy was ultimately won by Stewarton Heather which was presented to them by Lord Eglinton accompanied  by Lady Eglinton.  

The organisers, Umpires and Greenacres ice and catering staff did yet another fine job in administrating and supporting the event and are to be commended for their individual and collective endeavours which were much appreciated."

Fraser Cup Round 3 - 27th October

  The 3^rd round of the Fraser Cup League took place at Greenacres on Mon 27 Oct when Gangrels 1 (S. McFadzean (S), D. Cattanach, B Cherry, R. Peat) played A&A3 (A. Chapman (S) (sub R Wilson), K. Ireland, D. Haddow, D Thow (sub L Wilson)) on Sheet A and Gangrels 3 (F. Hogg (S), D. Gray, P. Reynolds, P. Galloway (sub Mutter)) played A&A1 (E. Baines (S), D. Graham, B. Black, J Cherry) on Sheet B.  All the players arrived somewhat harassed have fought their way through ill marked and conceived traffic holdups on the final approaches to Greenacres due to road resurfacing works.  The management at Greenacres were not impressed and had complained as they had been given no notice of the works or their likely impact on curlers coming to or going from the curling rink.

Notwithstanding, business on the ice on Sheet A (G1 v A&A3) started off on an equal footing as both sides sought to gauge the ice with nip and tuck on the first 4 ends to be matched 2-2.  But thereafter, Gangrels 1 stepped up the scoring rate to take the next 3 ends with scores of 2, 4 and 3 to win 11-2.  On Sheet B, G3 opened the scoring with a single shot but A&A 1 responded in fine style to take a 4 on the next end.  This significant bump in the scoring road was exacerbated with A&A1 scoring another 3 in the 4^th end to then lead 7-2.  G 3 tried hard to redress the situation and took the next 2 ends to trail 5-7 with every aspiration to score high in the last end but this was not to be.  A&A buried 2 stones near to the button which were then well protected to win 9-5 overall

We are now halfway through this 6 round competition and the league table is opposite/below with Gangrels 1 still in the lead with 6 points but 4 of the other Rinks have a game in hand to change the subsequent order of merit."

(Table still to be published)

Rosebowl Round !

 The first round of the Rosebowl was played over 7 ends this morning at Greenacres where Gangrels 2 (D Graham(S), P Galloway, E Lawrence, J Niblock) met Gangrels 3 (D Gray (S)(vice Mutter), A Henry, F Hogg, P Reynolds) on Sheet B.  From the outset, it was evident that the Rink best able to consistently guage the vagaries of the ice as regards speed and swing was going to have the advantage.  And so it proved, Gangrels 2 took the first 4 ends to lead 8-1 with Gangrels 3 taking the 5^th and last end and shaking hands with Gangrels 2 winning 9-3 overall.  The results table will be shown below later.

Fraser Cup Round 2 Results Monday 13th October

 

"  The second round of the Fraser Cup League was played at Greenacres at 1000 on Mon 13 Oct where Gangrels 1 (S McFadzean (S), D Cattanach, R Peat, F Hogg) met A&A2 (A Mitchell (S), H Kennedy, J Shanks,  P Kennedy) on Sheet A and Gangrels 2 (P Galloway (S), E Lawrence, J Niblock, R Charters) met A&A 3 ( R Wilson, K Ireland, L Wilson, D Haddow) on Sheet B.  Other than 2 curlers practicing on Sheet D, we were alone and it was all very quiet - to begin with!  On Sheet A, A&A took an early lead but on the 3^rd end Gangrels drew level and then took a 4 on the fourth end to lead 6-2.  They edged further ahead on the 5^th with A&A retaliating by taking a 2 in the 6^th but another single shot in the last end saw Gangrels 1 shake hands 8-4 winners.

On Sheet B, A&A opened the scoring but Gangrels then never looked back by taking consecutive 4 shots in the 2^nd and 3^rd ends.  On the 4^th end, A&A took a 2 to then be trailling 3-8 with 3 ends to go.  Gangrels kept up the pressure to win the last 3 ends with the final result a win 13-3.  The updated league table is below."

                                       GANGRELS v A&A FRASER CUP LEAGUE RESULTS 2025

 

Round 2 (13 Oct)

 

Rink	Skip	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points	Ends+	Ends-	Shots+	Shots-	Place
Gangrels 1	Mc Fadzean	2	2	0	0	4	8	6	15	9	1
A&A 1	Baines	1	0	0	1	0	3	4	5	7	6
Gangrels 2	Galloway	2	1	0	1	2	8	6	16	11	2
A&A 2	Mitchell	2	1	0	1	2	7	7	12	11	3
Gangrels 3	Henry	1	1	0	0	2	5	3	10	5	4
A&A 3	R Wilson	2	0	0	2	0	5	10	8	23	5

 

Gangrel Skips rotate as shown in the Club Fixture List on a game by game basis.

 

 GCC - RINK CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1 RESULT - SUN 12 OCT

 " The first round of the Rink Championship was played at Greenacres at 2000 on Sun 12 Oct when Gangrels (R Peat (S), D Hope, P Galloway, D Cattanach) played against Galston 1 (J Dykes (S), M Evan, F McGinnis,             M Dykes).  We were allocated Sheet F as all the main hall sheets were occupied by Stewarton Heather and the ice on the back sheets was not as keen, swingy and consistent as is customary which we subsequently learnt was probably due to teething problems with the new ice plant recently installed and set to work at a cost of £140K.  The first 3 ends were very much a nip and tuck affair with both sides equally matched but Galston stole a 2 on the 4^th end to edge ahead and lead 4-1. They then increased their lead with consistent and better play over the next 3 ends to win 6-2.  They now go on to meet Sorn in the semi-final on 17 Nov at Greenacres."

Rink Championship

 " The first round of the Rink Championship was played at Greenacres at 2000 on Sun 12 Oct when Gangrels (R Peat (S), D Hope, P Galloway, D Cattanach) played against Galston 1 (J Dykes (S), M Evan, F McGinnis,             M Dykes).  We were allocated Sheet F as all the main hall sheets were occupied by Stewarton Heather and the ice on the back sheets was not as keen, swingy and consistent as is customary which we subsequently learnt was probably due to teething problems with the new ice plant recently installed and set to work at a cost of £140K.  The first 3 ends were very much a nip and tuck affair with both sides equally matched but Galston stole a 2 on the 4^th end to edge ahead and lead 4-1. They then increased their lead with consistent and better play over the next 3 ends to win 6-2.  They now go on to meet Sorn in the semi-final on 17 Nov at Greenacres."

Fraser Cup 2025-26

 "The first round of the Fraser Cup League competition with A&A was held at Greenacres on Mon 6 Oct.  Our Pres welcomed all attendees on to the ice and introduced our Hon Pres (Jim Lyburn) who was then invited to throw the first stone as is customery for the Gangrels first competitive game of the season.  The photograph below kindly taken by Ronnie Wilson shows the Gangrels poised like coiled springs ready for the off!  It was an interesting set of games  and it certainly showed which clubs/individuals had been on the ice prior to this event!  Gangrels came out tops with 2 wins to A&A's 1 but our second win was only achieved by the addition of 2 penalty points due to an A&A absence.  Fun all round but it looks as though it is going to be a closely fought FC League.  The results table is shown opposite."

                                                              

                                                                             GANGRELS v A&A FRASER CUP LEAGUE RESULTS 2025

 

                                                                                                                        Round 1 (6 Oct)

 

Rink	Skip	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Points		Ends+	Ends-	Shots+	Shots-	Position
Gangrels 1	Peat	1	1	0	0	2		4	3	7	5	3
A&A 1	Baines	1	0	0	1	0		3	4	5	7	4
Gangrels 2	Lawrence	1	0	0	1	0		3	4	3	8	5
A&A 2	Mitchell	1	1	0	0	2		4	3	8	3	2
Gangrels 3	Henry	1	1	0	0	2		5	3	10	5	1
A&A 3	R Wilson	1	0	0	1	0		3	5	5	10	6