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.

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