2020 – 2022
Turnbull Trophy
Formerly known as the Ladies Opening Bonspiel the competition was played on 8th November after being deferred from the start of the season. Whereas we originally had six club members set to play, only four could make the rescheduled date. Sheena, Liz, Marion & Eleanor took part in a six rink contest with Liz coming out a winner in Judith Dixon’s team. Congrats to her.
Oakroom Bonspiel
The ladies end of season bonspiel saw five Earlston Curlers taking part this time round. Liz, Sheena, Russet, Marion and Lesley Cowe, which is a pretty good representation. All said and done, by the end of the session Sheena, playing in Liz Martin’s rink with Bobby Forrest and Carol Lawson, found themselves runners up with +2 shots. Isla Forsythe’s team picked up the main prize.
Dram(atic) conclusion
Well, through the mixed up post new year schedule, we managed to run the Dram competition. It’s not necessarily mixed doubles but doubles anyway. There were four teams taking part in a wee round robin leading to a big eight end final. I’ll spare you the details of the round robin ’cause I don’t have them to hand but Johns Stevenson and Burns faced Cullens Jim and Liz in that final. It was a tough old game with the two Johns bagging (and obviously needing) two ends where they picked up a three. You’ll see what I mean when I tell you they won the game 8-6 by picking up the second three in the last end. Congratulation there. All that watching Olympic curling must’ve paid off since everyone seemed to enjoy playing this form of the game.
Ladies Challenge
The Ladies Challenge managed to run this year with 12 teams taking part. Some locally formed and others coming a fair distance. From Earlston, we had Marion playing with Nina Clancy, Liz Martin and Isla Forsyth and they narrowly missed qualifying for the finals. Russet, too, was with Elspeth Bell, Susan McDonald, and Ann Tait. Whilst they won their section, they were beaten in the High Road final by the visiting Davidson rink. It was Gwen Prentice’s rink who lifted the low road prize. Well done all round though.
Marie Curie Bonspiel
The Marie Curie got underway with 8 teams rounded up to play this year. A great day all round where a couple of games of curling and some fine company were enjoyed. Winners of the claret jug trophy was Lucy Tile’s rink in which Sheena was playing with Ian Douglas and Maggie Wright. As it happens, Bill’s rink of Brenda Robertson, CJ Lynn and Dorothy Silver picked up the low road, Hamish Wilson trophy too. Congratulations to both teams but biggest cheer undoubtedly due to the organisers, Liz & Colin Martin and all who helped make the event happen. No mean feat in these times. Well done everyone for making it such a successful day and evening.
Weekend Trophy
No sooner have I said that we should have a two-team competition than one comes along. That’s right. Makes sense. Two days in a weekend, two teams in the competition. Bill was playing in Gary Craig’s rink with former member Rachel Armstrong and her dad, David, against a John Sinton select. After a tentative start, the Craig team just kept on building the scoreline to see out the game. We had a nice drink and bit chat upstairs in the bar afterwards with much reminiscing about glorious competitions past and shots played. Gary even managed to rake up a random curler to present him with the trophy. Thanks to James Dixon for doing the honours.
Points Medallist
As we sit here and marvel at the immaculate shot-making of our Olympic curlers, we have just completed our equally thrilling Points competition. Star of the night was Cammy Pate who won the much coveted James Shiels medal with 30 points. Next in line, in terms of youth and points (27), was Graeme Wilson with Bill Byers in third place (25). With eleven members turning out for the night it was great to be able to play the Points again. Playing two stones at each of eight disciplines, we found ourselves with a fair bit o time left, so we went once more round the circuit with one stone at each. It was great to have the recently rediscovered medal, which dates from 1871, back in the light of day for presentation. I suppose it should’ve been gold to accord with the theme at this time but still nice and very shiny. Now, if only teams Mouat and Muirhead can do the same and come out on top.
Directors Trophy
A sad reflection on the diminished state of curling in these post(?) pandemic times, that one of the most prestigious of BIR competitions is reduced to only four entries. Having said that, it is great to see that 7 of the 16 players were drawn from our club. Graeme Wilson’s rink of Jim, Phil and Andy played against Colin Martin’s team and came off worse in that encounter by a single shot. John Stevenson’s rink of Bill, John Sinton and Graeme Cowe had Lewis McCran’s hotshots to contend with and similarly, after an extra end, came off worse by a single shot. Lewis went on to win the trophy. Ho well. Maybe we should reduce the competition to two teams.
Border Bonspiel
Two teams in the re-scheduled Border Bonspiel this year with 14 clubs taking part. First up was Ewan’s rink which surprisingly did not contain Ewan but Cammy, John Burns, James and Andy playing against Jed and they came away from that with a 7-5 win. The following day, Graeme Wilson, Bill, Phil & Sheena were pitched against St. Boswells and we managed to notch up another win with an 8-2 scoreline. All respectable stuff but nowhere good enough to come near Glendale who had a combined score of +9.5 or Selkirk and Coldstream equal on +5.5. Our +4 might’ve been good enough for fourth place but I didn’t check. I like to think it was.
Canada 2023 Tourist
Delighted to let you know that John Stevenson has been included in the 2023 tour party to Canada. He will travel with 60 curlers selected for the Scottish Men’s Tour, to play for the prestigious Strathcona Cup, one of the oldest international curling competitions in the world. Well done. John will be joined by a further three BIR faces – Willie Johnston(Roxburghe), Bruce Porteous (Ayton Castle) and Tim Price (Swinton), so congratulations to them and our best wishes that it all comes to pass.
Yuill-tide Greetings
A bit of quiet time in the lead up to Christmas – I think not! We have a wonderous story to tell of the great success of Ewan Pate’s rink in the club league this year. Ably assisted by John Burns, Liz and Richard, they had the Yuill trophy wrapped up and tucked away well before the end of the scheduled games and it only remained to see who would pick up 2nd place. That went to John Stevenson, Cammy, Andy and Bob and they too had a great season but just couldn’t rein in the leaders. That only became clear with the last game, which was a pretty hard fought draw. Gosh! third place was really coveted. Congratulations to the winners as we settle into some Christmas cheer. Happy Christmas.
Anything for a pair?
……Not in this game.
With the heady prospect of the potential for someone to win both the pairs final AND the plate final, was history in the making? Like I said, not in this game. In the big final, Graeme and Andy posted first spoils by taking a single then Bill and David hit back with their own singles in ends two and three. Enough, said Graeme and put his foot down, taking the next two ends with a pair in each. Oops! Anything for a pair? Yes indeedy. For two pairs you get the trophy. Well done to Graeme and Andy. Worthy winners in a fine game. Moving quickly onwards, due to the pesky Covid pinger putting Jim into frustrating isolation, Bill was on standby to fill the slot with Robert in the plate final. With the unique double being a busted flush, Bill settled down to another tough game against Ewan and John Burns. it was a dogged affair with singles being traded until the last end when Bill and Robert bagged a two and the game timed out. So. Bill and Robert winners in that game and balance maintained in the universe.
Invitation Bonspiel
The BIR invitation bonspiel was held over the windy weekend there. Think it may well be renamed the ‘Windy Weekender’ since I’m sure the disruption and late night tour of the borders for many of the participants trying to find their way home past fallen trees will remain long in the memory. Anyway. To the curling. Initially only Jim and Liz taking part from the club but that was increased by 50% on Saturday morning when Bill joined as a sub for the wind-affected, Paul Jess. Also playing with Isla Forsythe, they had peeled their first game on the Friday and happily the two games on Saturday against a rink from the Flower Bowl at Preston and Tommy Campbell’s team were won. That put us in the top of the section and the big game against Sandy Nelson’s team, the other section winners, was unfortunately lost after some very close ends. Being a shenkle scoring system and the other results coming in, Sandy won the competition and we were dunted down to fourth. Ouch.
R treble see-saw
Well there were only two teams in the competition so it was going to go one way or t’other. Selkirk provided the other half of the tussle in this year’s Rink Championship qualifier. It started off pretty much as you’d expect with us getting the first end then Selkirk coming back but then Jim’s rink pocketed a four. Not to be outdone, the Soutar’s riposte was a three. But then we took a three back – you get the idea. Ultimately the balance was in favour of Jim, Ewan, Graeme Cowe and Liz holding down a final 11-5 win. Onwards and upwards to the finals then. That’ll be in March, at Forfar, the scene of our last participation in this event in 2019 almost on the eve of the pandemic lockdown. Here’s hoping things go better this time around. Congrats.
Bonny Berwickshire Bonspiel
I feel a ballad coming on. Two rinks in the BB and with Marion’s hotshots doing all the heavy lifting in their first tie, it put a load of pressure on Jim’s rink not to screw things up in theirs. Amassing a phenomenal 20 shots against Swinton for a reply of 3, Marion, Graeme Cowe, John Burns and Andy, managed to post a 7 shot win in the 6th end, missing an 8-ender by a hairs breadth, apparently. Jim, Bill, David & Sheena however managed to add to the overall score with +6 from their game against the Lammermuir/Chirnside combo and it was safely in the bag. A good day at the office in anybody’s book.
Matthew Templeton
Time for the Matthew Templeton and it saw eight Earlston curlers taking part. John Stevenson’s rink with Graeme Cowe, Robert Laidlaw and John Sinton had a pretty impressive start, beating the Prentice rink 10-4. Next up was another toughie – Paul Jess with a certain J Cullen featuring in that rink but they too were safely navigated in the rush for the final. In the other route, Graeme Wilson’s rink of Phil, Ewan and John Burns made a good go of surmounting the Stark challenge and after a Covid-cancelled tie prevented the other game proceeding, found themselves with no one to play and straight into the final. What’s not to like about an Earlston v Earlston final? Winners in this instance with a successful defence of their title was Graeme’s rink. Excellent stuff.
An International Flavour
What’s this? International travel and visiting curlers? Yes indeedy. John Stevenson’s rink attended the Edinburgh International Seniors competition at Murrayfield over the weekend there and had a pretty decent run at it. John, Bill, Graeme & Graeme ended up 7th in the table of 16 teams which is not that shabby – and we even got to play against the Swiss team holding them to a 5-4 scoreline. Maybe a defeat but they have been 3 times qualifiers for Worlds and nobody else held them that close until they played the final. Which they won. Great.
Gala Cup
We had two teams in the Gala Cup Competition this year with things going really well for both, until we got to Roxburghe. Jim, Bill, Liz and Lesley Cowe had won matches against Coldstream and Selkirk before falling foul of Roxburghe in the semis with a scoreline to be forgotten. Graeme Wilson’s rink of Marion, with John and Eleanor Burns, had won against Swinton and Greenlaw before succumbing to the Rox rockers in a similarly (almost) troublesome score. Oh well. Nothing to see here. Move along……
Masters
Just a marker to record that Jim, Bill and Graeme Cowe headed west to play in the Masters this year accompanied by Graham Lindsay from Kinross. What with COP26 going on, accommodation as scarce as a hen’s back teeth and all the potential traffic disruption by extinction rebellion, our intrepid trio managed to secure a secluded (i.e. well hidden in the hills) apartment for the three nights. Not a milkman in sight. This was a crafty wheeze to beat the traffic around Glasgow by coming at Greenacres from the Largs coastline. That worked but our auld wheezers were unable to overcome the considerable challengers. Ultimately won one, peeled another and even though some close games, lost the rest & crashed out. Great to be involved in some great curling and meeting up with folk not seen for 18 months.
Ladies Opening Bonspiel
Dateline. Tuesday 2nd November and the Ladies Opening Bonspiel was held with a full session of ice being played. Albeit a few weeks into the season, it was reported to be a very fine get-together indeed. We had four curlers involved this time around, Lesley Cowe, Liz, Sheena and Eleanor but unfortunately, the trophy went elsewhere, being won by Liz Martin’s rink.
Laidlaw Trophy
Hoooooweee! Seems like we’ve only just started but already we are in and oot o’ the Laidlaw. After getting an urgent call to let us know we were drawn to play in the preliminary round, Marion managed to put together a pretty decent team in the available 3 days. Marion, Jim, Graeme Wilson and Ewan pitched up to face Coldstream and after a typically tough tussle, ultimately lost by a single shot. Interestingly, this is the one where teams must rotate their rink every round using the same playing order only once. The teams who play in the preliminary round are however permitted to use the same playing order for one additional round only. Won’t be needing that then!
150 Year Medal
The RCCC AGM had a busy agenda this year and the business and topical discussion was held via digital means to satisfy ongoing pandemic provisions. Local ears pricked up this year with the news that Earlston was one of five clubs receiving the 150 Year Club Medal. This marks the club’s 150 years membership of the RCCC, having been admitted in 1871. We all know however that the club is much older than that with the Rev John Kerr, that authority on all matters curling in Scotland prior to 1890, stating in ‘The History of Curling’ that there was curling in Earlston (Berwick) ante 1756. Not going to argue with that. Are we? Have a look at our History pages. Nice to have the bling though.
AGM News 2021
The AGM was held tonight, 26th May. A more traditional date and, more traditionally, held face to face in real time reality. We were like spring lambs all wanting to speak at the same time with the novelty of it all but with a firm Chair and well organised Secy, we got through the business of electing office bearers and committee. Graeme Cowe at the helm for the next year, Ewan as Vice President, Liz, Secretary and Jim, Treasurer. The committee members are James Morison, John Burns, Tracey Ross, Bill Byers, Andy Ewen, Graeme Wilson and Sheena Byers (past Pres).
Playing membership is likely to be slightly down this year as folk come to grips with curling in a post pandemic way but we have ice and arrangements will now progress for the club competitions in the new season and for participation in BIR competitions.
This is all that happened in 2020….
PS….. None of the curling happened.
Getting into Gear – The Cullen Cup
Literally. Get your gear looked out. We have curling on the cards.
As mentioned in the previous post, we have indeed managed to arrange to play our Cullen Cup league at Murrayfield. Yay! We have sufficient interest from members, excited at the prospect of getting started playing and keen to try out the Murrayfield ice, to play 4 rinks. Upshot is we will travel up and play all the games over 2 Sundays in November. Information to come on travel, costs and Covid19 arrangements.
For information on the current Covid 19 arrangements in place at Murrayfield and what the game will look like, click on this link: https://www.edinburghcurling.co.uk/covid-19/
30 sleeps to go….
The shape of things to come
With the Border Ice Rink not opening until January ’21, it means the Club will not have time to play all their competitions in the 3 months the Ice Rink is open. Your committee has been exercising their collective brain cells as to how we progress and is requesting ice from January to March to play a reduced number of competitions – the League, Cowdenknowes Cup, Points and the final of last season’s Birlin’ Broom.
In a novel approach, the committee are also exploring the idea of playing one of our competitions, the Cullen Cup, at Murrayfield before January. Weekend ice is available and the competition could take place on 2 Saturdays or Sundays in November. Depending on interest. Roll on curling.
AGM news
The AGM was held tonight, 4th August, through the marvels of modern digital technology and we zoomed through the business. Sheena ended her term as President and handed over the baton to Graeme Cowe. VP is Ewan Pate and Jim Cullen continues as Treasurer. Another baton handed over was that of Secretary with Wendy hanging up her pen and mouse and Liz Cullen took up that post. New committee members are Lynsey McGillivray and Andy Ewen.
Arrangements will now progress to provide some structure for club curling in the new season which currently, is set to start in mid-October. Members will be kept informed of these in due course. Thanks to Sheena for her work as President and Wendy for her many years as Secretary. Best wishes to the new officials and Committee for the coming challenges. Watch this space……