Presidents Cup - Final Day

 Given the difficulties associated with the recent closure of Greenacres due to ice plant problems and the non-availability of original Rink members to play in the initially scheduled Presidents Cup High and Low Roads, it was evident that the most efficient and effective solution would be to hold both events on the same day and to have volunteers play a double header.  And so it was arranged that the High Road would be played at 1000 and the Low Road at 1230 on Mon 24 Feb at Greenacres.

The High Road saw Rink 2 (Cherry (S), Galloway, Wilson, McFadzean) play Rink 3 (Lawrence (S), Henry, Niblock, Richmond) on keen but somewhat inconsistent swingy ice.  It was a challenge for both Rinks but Rink 3 mastered the difficulties from the outset taking the first 3 ends to surge in to 9 stone lead.  Rink 2, realising the gravity of the situation, sought to redress the shortfall and took single stone shots in the following 2 ends to get on to the board but were still lagging 2-9 at the end of the 5th.  Rink 3 then increased their lead by taking another 2 in the 6^th which Rink 2 countered with a 2 in the 7th.  At the bell, Rink 3 were winners 11-4 and will be awarded the President's Cup for this season.

After a quick break for sustinance intake, the Low Road formed from the 2 lowest scoring Rinks in the first 2 rounds of the President's Cup took to the ice with Rink 1 (Hogg (S), Cherry, Graham, McFadzean) facing Rink 4 (Wilson (S), Peat, Henry, Galloway).  This was to become a more closely contested end for end game but Rink 4 edged in to the lead by taking a 4 in the 3rd end to lead 6-1.  Rink 1 took singles in the next 2 ends to close the gap but Rink 4 forged ahead once again by winning the next 2 ends to go in to the 8^th and final end leading 9-3.  Despite Rink 4 seeking to keep the head clear and limit scoring opportunities, Rink 1 thwarted those attempts and took a well crafted 3 to lose 6-9 overall.

The 5 players who took part in both consecutive games were more than glad to rest weary sweeping arms and legs and enjoy the end of day break and banter before heading for home.  Notwithstanding, everyone enjoyed the day and the spirited competition

MINI LEAGUE ROUND 5 RESULTS MON 17 FEB

 The 5^th round of the mini league series of the Gangrels v A&A was held on Mon 17 Feb at Greenacres with Gangrels 1 (Cherry (S), Cattanach, Niblock, Hogg) playing A&A 2 (Mitchell (S), Chapman,         L Wilson, J Cherry) and Gangrels 2 (Galloway(S), Lawrence, Charters, Reynolds) facing A&A1 (Baines (S), R Wilson, Haddow - 1 player short, thus incurring 2 shot penalty).  

Both games were played on the back extension ice Sheets E and F.  Gangrels 1 were in fine form from the start only losing a 2 in the second end to win 11-2 and taking 6 of the 7 ends played.  Gangrels 2 had a tighter match initially on keen but somewhat inconsistent swing ice to be peeling 3-3 at the conclusion of the 4th end.  Douglas Haddow then suffered a leg muscle injury which added to the overall reduction in their stone play and sweeping capacity which may have contributed to Gangrels then creeping ahead to win 8 (10 with penalty points) - 4 as the 8^th end finished.  

The overall league table is shown here with Gangrels 2 in the lead and Gangrels 1 lying second.

Province Knock Out

The Gangrels (Peat (S), Cherry, Mutter, Galloway) took part in the first round of the Province KO at Greenacres against Galston Haymouth (Boswell (S), Dykes, Brown, M Dykes) on the evening of       Fri 14 Feb. This was clearly not going to be a bonding Valentine's Night meeting with Galston showing their take out prowess from the start to take an early lead by 4-1 on completion of the 3^rd end.  

Not to be outdone, Grangrels then displayed their adroit drawing talents to take the next 2 ends to be peeling 4-4 at the end of the 5th.  Things were getting tense and the sweeping effort frantic as the next 2 ends came down to each side having to score on their last stone.  A single score from either side on the 6^th and 7^th ends resulted in a 5-5 peel with 5 minutes remaining on the clock.  

The high emotion was palpable as an early on the button stone from the Gangrels was repeatedly guarded from the persistent attacks of Galston who had the hammer.  Notwithstanding, continued fine protective play kept Galston's endeavours at bay and Gangrels won 6-5.  They now go on to play in the semi final against Fairywell on Tue 4 Mar at 2030."

North West Castle

 Four Rinks set off in fine weather and generally light traffic to play in the final social event for this season at NWC.  Time of arrival was of the essence as a quintet of munchers and glugers had pre-booked bacon butties and a hot drink prior to battle commencing on the ice.  In the morning session at 1000, Rink 1 (McFadzean (S), Hope, Niblock, Gray) played against Rink 2 (Peat (S), Chapman, Cherry, Dunlop) on Sheet 3 and Rink 3 (Charters (S), Mutter, Reynolds, Cattanach) faced Rink 4 (Galloway(S), Lawrence, Hogg, Haddow) on Sheet 4.  The ice was keen and not too swingy which the initial winners, Rink 2 (7-3) and Rink 4 (9-5) made the most of.  Wounds licked and laurels polished, everyone set off for a much-needed warming hot ham hock and lentil soup, fresh sandwiches, chocolate tray bake and thirst- quenching drink.

Mortal souls revived, the war of roaring granite recommenced at 1315 with the previous Skips now leading and Thirds taking tactical control in the Head.  Rink 1 now faced Rink 3 on new ice Sheet 2 and Rink 2 played against Rink 4 on Sheet 1.  The scoring was initially tight on Sheet 2 but Rink 3 shook hands after 7 ends 6-3 winners.  On Sheet 1, Rink 4 seemed to do little wrong and got all the breaks to win 10-1.

President Donald presented the prizes to the smiling overall winners (Galloway/Laurence (S), Hogg and Haddow) and thanked the NWC ice staff for the superb ice, the bar and catering staff for the much appreciated food and drinks and the Club's Match Sec and Secretary for organising the day which had been much enjoyed by all.  He hoped that the Club would have the pleasure of returning to play here next season.

GCC v A&A MINI LEAGUE ROUND 4

After more than a week of significant ice plant problems which resulted in the cessation of curling, through commendable application and diligence, Greenacres produced a return to high quality and keen ice for the 4^th Round of the Gangrels v A&A Mini League on Mon 10 Feb.  No-one was sure how the ice would perform after such an unusual and drastic meltdown and re-flooding but to everyone's immense pleasure, the new ice was true, consistent and motivating for competitive play with little sign of any granite deprivation from those on the ice.

On Sheet A, Gangrels 2 (Lawrence (S), Reynolds, Watson, Galloway) faced off against A&A2 (Mitchell (S), Ireland, L Wilson, J Cherry) and quickly took the lead with a 4 followed by a single on the first 2 ends.  A&A retaliated with a well constructed set of 3 consecutive wins to lead 6-5 going into 6th end. Gangrerls 2 came back with a 2 which A&A countered with a single in the 7^th end to level the score 7-7 with 3 minutes on the clock.  The final end was a high pressure one with a mistake on either side likely to be costly.  Gangrels lay with 3 stones around the T but a crucial guard was too long leaving A&A the opportunity to draw in and nestle as the scoring stone close to the button.   This they achieved and could only be displaced by an adroitly drawn last stone by Gangrels.  Sadly, this was not to be and while the line and weight appeared to be was perfect, the final touch left the A&A stone winning by about 1 cm to then leave them 8-7 winners.

On Sheet B, Gangrels 1 (Peat (S), Hogg, Cattanach, Niblock) lost the first end to A&A1 (Baines(S), R Wilson, H Kennedy, Haddow) but quickly recovered to peel 2-2 after the second end.  Single scores on the next 2 ends took A&A in to the lead 4-2 going in to the 5^th end.  Stung in to action, Gangrels won the next 2 ends with a 3 in each to then lead 8-4 going in to the 7^th and final end.  This A&A won by 2 with hands being  shaken as Gangrels walked off the ice winners 8-6.

The overall results table is shown here.

President's Cup High Road Final Postponed

 The final of the President's Cup High Road was scheduled to be played at Greenacres on Mon 3 Feb but had to be postponed to a date yet to be determined due to an ice plant defect which stopped all curling for the weekend and beyond.  As soon as the defect is rectified and the quality of ice restored which is currently forecast to be Thu 6 Feb, a significant reallocation of ice to Clubs will be undertaken to try and restore the programme of games lost.  As soon as the Club has sight of the proposed reallocation of ice for that lost in the President's Cup, the Fixture List will be updated and affected players notified.