Incoming Canadian Tour 29 January 2018
Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 11:04am
2 reports are available – firstly the games report:
Canadian Tour 2018 – The Peak Stirling Sports Village 29th January 2018
On 29th January 2018, 32 curlers from Forth Valley Area, representing the Clubs in all 4 provinces in the Area, played against the incoming Canadian Men’s North Tour.
Over the day, the Stirling teams managed to inflict a rare defeat on the Canadians, with Forth Valley winning by 55 shots to 48 shots, and this was one of only 2 days where the Canadian North team were defeated in both sessions, and the South Team only lost both sessions once. A good performance for Forth Valley Area.
The morning session saw, in game 1, John Davie skip an all Kilsyth team of Duncan McGregor (3rd), Finlay Brown (2nd) and Willie Ralston, the oldest curler at 87 on the ice that day at lead, against Larry McCormack’s team. After a tight game a couple of missed shots in the 7th end saw the Canadians take a 3, and run out winners by 6 shots to 5 after the 8th, John just failing to get his 2 at the last to tie the game.
In game 2, Lee McCleary of Keir, a late sub for a call off due to illness, came in as skip with his experience of representing Scotland at Mixed Doubles. At 3rd was Derek Young, Team Captain for Stirling for the day, representing Borestone and Stirling, and 2nd was Mark Duguid, also Borestone and Stirling, along with Eddie Sutherland at lead, representing Grangemouth. They played Ken Armstrong’s Canadian team. A good start by the Canadians saw them take an early lead, but a 4 in the 3rd end saw the Stirling team take control of the game. A further shot before the rusty nails drink break, made it an enjoyable break. A further 3 after they break put Scots well in control, and despite the loss of a 4 in the 7th, Lee’s team still retained control and ran out winners by 10 shots to 7, and with the game won, Lee was talked out of playing a risky shot with his final stone, and just play the safe wide draw ensuring victory.
In game 3, in the all Keir team, skipped by Andrew McAughtrie, with his father Jim playing lead, Gavin Fleming at 3rd, and Stuart Brand at 2nd, had a very close game against the visitors, led by Jamie Hay. After an up and down game, with Canada scoring a 3 at the 1st end, Andrew came back with a 4 in the 6th to go 1 ahead. Andrew had a shot to hit and lie at the final end to win the game, but unfortunately his hit just rolled out and the game was peeled. Andrew insists his stone was over swept by his team.
Game 4 was an all Sauchie and Bannockburn affair, skipped by Forth Valley Area Rep Joe Kincaid, with fellow club members Derrick Douglas at 3rd, Norman Ainslie at 2nd and Alan Watt at lead, against John Rudd’s Canadian team. This was definitely a game of 2 halves. In the first half Joe’s team were firmly in control and at the half time drinks break they had a 5 shot lead, having won all 4 ends and hadn’t conceded a shot. Maybe the rusty nails didn’t agree with them at half time, as in the second half, the Canadians had a major fight back, and after losing a 1 at the 5th to go 6 down the Canadians took 2 doubles and after 7 ends the score was 6 – 4 to Joe’s team. In the 8th end the Canadians were lying 1 shot, with Joe having the last stone. Joe decided to go for victory in the last end, rather than burn the stone and take victory, but unfortunately the stone didn’t do what was hoped, and it tapped in a Canadian stone for a second shot, and the game was peeled. Unfortunately telepathy from the supporters in bar urging Joe to shake hands, concede a shot, and take the victory, didn’t reach him.
With a bit of luck, and a change of decisions, Forth valley could have won all 4 games in the morning. However we would take a 27 to 25 shot win into the afternoon games.
After lunch, the Canadian curlers took back to the ice against another 4 Forth Valley teams.
In game 1 it was an all West Lothian Province team with Skip Andrew Williamson of Buchan, Stuart Milne of Oatridge, Harry Brodie from Abercorn and Alan Faulds from Linlithgow against Larry McCormack’s Canadians. A 4 at the first end set the Scots off well, followed by a single at the second. Despite a late fight back Larry McCormick couldn’t repeat his win of the morning game and the Scots held on to win by 8 shots to 6.
Game 2 saw a mixed Province team take on Ken Armstrong. John Munro was skip representing Bridge of Allan, Graham Young from Livingston was 3rd, Andrew Mooney of Uphall was 2nd and lead was Mike Gellatly from Dunblane. After losing 2 singles on the first two ends, Johnnie took a 6, yes a 6, at the 3rd end, and seemed to have the game in control. The 6 was the highest end score of the day. However the Canadians never gave up and fought back, but John managed to keep his nose in front for an 8 shots to 7 win.
Game 3 was a Forth and Endrick Province team with Brian Ferguson of Buccaneers skipping, with Gordon Jackson of Balfron as third, John Steele of Drymen at second, and John Carruthers from Castle Club playing lead, against Jamie Hay’s Canadian team. Canada took a 1 at the first and a 3 at the last, but Scotland won all the ends in between, except the 5th which was blanked, to win comfortably by 7 shots to 4.
Game 4 was an again an all Forth and Endrick Province team. Andy Hemmings of Buccaneers skipped the team against Canada’s John Morrison, who sat out the morning games. 3rd for Andy was Dougie Telfer of Loch Ard, 2nd Jim Bilsland of Drymen and John Coyle of Balfron was lead. Canada took their 2 at the first, but singles were traded at next 2 ends and then a blank, for Canada to lead 3 shots to 1 at the half time break. After the break, Andy hit back with a 3 to take the lead, but the Canadians responded with a 2 at the next and then traded singles on the last 2 ends for a 6 shots to 5 win. The Canadians benefitted from not having played in the morning.
The afternoon ended a win for the Scots by 28 shots to 23, and a win overall by the Scots by 55 shots to 48.
A good day all round for Forth Valley Area, and their Provinces. Well done everyone – both players, organisers and helpers.
Canadian Tour – 29th January 2018 – The Peak Stirling.
The first of the volunteers arrived at the Peak at 8.30 and started to convert the restaurant to provide coffee and biscuits for the Canadian Tourists, as well as the first session host curlers. Banners and bunting were displayed in the ice arena and the names of the teams were placed on the score boards under the national flag of the country. The ice men had been in from 4.00 am and were busy putting the final touches in preparation of the ice. The photographer arrived with camera and projector and set up his computer and projector to provide pictures of the 2009 Canadian Tour at the old Stirling ice rink. The piper appeared in full highland dress and received his instructions for welcoming the visitors and the marching on to the ice. The host curlers began to appear and the phone call was taken to say the visitors’ bus would arrive in 10 minutes. The Events Manager at The Peak provided entry lanyards for the visitors and volunteers and identified the visitors dressing room. The catering staff had the coffee made and the ladies had laid out a fine array of cakes, biscuits and shortbread.
The skirl of the pipes announced the arrival of the coach and with the host curlers and volunteers providing an archway of curling brushes, the Canadians visitors were welcomed to the Peak. A change into their curling gear and a trip up the stairs where the visitors met up with their opposition and enjoyed the coffee and biscuits prepared by the lady volunteers as well as getting their instructions on the days schedule. Then it was time for the line up and the march downstairs and on to the ice for the start of the games. The photographer was very busy at this time taking group photographs, team photographs and videos and the games started at the planned time of 10.00am.
The next part of the schedule was the stacking of brooms after 4 ends. This was a tricky process but the elastic bands and the curling gloves made it all possible. The other tricky process was the mixing of the rusty nails – was it four to one, three to one or even 50 -50. Much soul searching and sampling by the committee gave the perfect recipe and was enjoyed by all along with the short bread and goodies.
In the late morning two well-known historian curlers, brought a number of artifacts from the RCCC archives to display them in the restaurant. All the items were clearly identified and were of historical interest not only to the Canadians but to the home curlers. Lunch and drinks were served in the restaurant with a choice of vegetable curry or beef bourguignon with roast potatoes or rice.
At lunchtime most of the Canadian curlers took the opportunity to visit the new academy for curling where some of the “British” curlers were having their final practice session before the Olympics. The “sleeping” Canadian curlers went to the academy in the morning and made their colleagues very jealous when they showed off their selfies taken with Eve Muirhead and her team.
The host afternoon curlers arrived had their lunch at 2.00 and were ready to play in their matches at 3.00pm going through the same process. The Provost arrived and was welcomed and tutored by the host team captain in the restaurant until she came down to the ice arena to meet the players and discuss the games. The games finished around 5.15 with drinks in the restaurant.
As the Civic Reception, provided by City of Stirling Council, commenced at 6.30, a quick turn around was required with the hosts and visitors dressed in their finery and out the door by 6.20 for the journey to the Stirling Court Hotel. Most of the host curlers, partners and guests were already there and welcomed their guests. The Provost made a short speech welcoming the Canadian curlers to Stirling and hoped they would return for a holiday on a future occasion. The Canadian curlers had explored part of the area on the Sunday before the game with visits to the Falkirk Wheel, the Kelpies and the Wallace Monument which was lit up and visible from the reception room.
The call to the tables at 7.15, signalled the hotel staff springing into action taking orders in a well-rehearsed procedure, prior to the chairman introducing the top table and the recital of the Curlers Grace. An excellent meal in good company ensured that the evening passed rather quickly but ended with a sing song accompanied by an accordionist in which everyone participated in choir form. The visitors were given gifts of miniatures, scrolls of the Curlers Grace and twelve glasses in a presentation box engraved with the names of the ice rinks where they had played. A vote of thanks was delivered and the evening rounded off by Auld Layne Syne.
A great day had been had but these days don’t happen without a considerable amount of effort by a considerable number of people.
The Area Forth Valley Committee of Joe Barry (Representative) Joe Kincaid (Representative), Alan Wilson (Secretary) and Ritchie Stewart (Treasurer) started the stone curling about a year ago under the guidance of the 2013 Tour to Canada. They were ably supported by the Office Bearers in the four Area Provinces of Scottish Central, Stirlingshire, Forth & Endrick and West Lothian as well as ladies from the Ladies Centre Stirling.
Active Stirling, through Suzanne Burns, Programme and Events Manager, fully supported the event by subsidising ice costs, meeting our requests regarding changing facilities, providing quick access and generally meeting our needs on the day. The ice technicians were up very early, with Chris Gunn in charge, to make good ice and the visitors were delighted with the quality.
The Restaurant, through Jacek and his team, listened to our plans for the day and menu suggestions, and went away and came back with better ones. Again, we had lots of requests, on a limited budget, regarding the provision of coffee / tea, the provision of shortbread etc by the ladies and the layout of the restaurant and bar area on a busy day. They managed the situation very well and provided first class catering arrangements on the day.
Graeme Adam and Bob Cowan provided the historical items from the RCCC archives and talked knowledgeably to those interested on all the items including previous Strathcona Cups.
Deanston Distillery was very supportive by providing three dozen miniatures at a heavily discounted cost. Thanks go to Margo Bain for all her work regarding this success.
Graham Russell, the photographer, worked tirelessly throughout the day taking pictures of everything from arrivals to curling teams and from stacked brushes to score boards. Graham also brought his projector and showed pictures of the 2009 tour in the morning and the 2018 tour in the afternoon.
Bill Strang, Secretary of Scottish Central, provided support all day to the different parts of the operation with his ideal mix of the rusty nails providing the curlers with the energy to compete in the second half of their games.
Margo Bain, Morag Duncan, Fiona Glass and Rhona Johnston provided the essential feminine touch for the provision of the baking, tablet and shortbread, the presentation of the dining area, the production of the bunting and tartan and generally made the day work through their hospitality.
Derek Young, captain of the host curlers, ably captained the teams to victory in both sessions as well as escorting and accompanying the Provost both at the ice rink and at the dinner. Stirling Council and the Provost also did us proud by funding the drinks reception at the Stirling Court Hotel and of course by appearing at the ice rink as an interested spectator and speaking and attending drinks reception and dinner in the evening.
Ian Keron chaired the dinner and drinks reception in the evening and did a great job in providing laminated table mats and the song sheets for the evening’s entertainment.
Stirling Court Hotel, through Helen Guy, gave the committee lots of choices and options from menus to table layouts and from costs to seating plans. After all the choices were made the delivery from Matt and the staff was excellent.
The evening was finished off with Janet Graham leading the sing song on her accordion. Everybody entered into the spirit of the occasion and there was some good singing as well. The quality of the playing and the song sheets allowed everybody to join in and after the vote of thanks from Joe Kincaid, the rendition of Auld Lang Syne closed the evening.
Thanks and congratulations to all who assisted in in the delivery of a good day of curling fellowship.