2016 – 2017
End of Season Bonspiel
As a finale to the season, we had Gerry, Luigi, Graeme and Lesley Cowe, Sheena and Bill playing in the End of Season Bonspiel. There were two sessions and out of the first session, the team to beat was James Dixon’s rink in which Luigi was playing. This went on Ends won, shot difference then total Shots. Out of the second session though, Bill’s rink of Claire Livingstone, Christine Martin and Dick Johnston had had a very successful encounter and managed to overhaul their score. ‘Twas the shots diff that did for them – pipped at the post in the last game of the season, Luigi. Sorry. Congratulation to Bills team on lifting the silver tray.
Now for that grass. Happy summer everyone.
Negative Curling
As a final club game on the ‘surprise’ ice, Jim put together a couple of rinks to have a go at Negative Curling. Crivens! 5:15 ice? That was surely the first negative thing. Next. Marion, Jim, John Stevenson (Yea. Welcome back, John) and Sheena and Bill, John Burns, Liz and Tracey set off with a great deal of confusion to play a game in which each team tried not to win the end. Maybe more accurately, make the other win the end. It certainly made us try outrageous shots to get opposition stones into the rings. The winner of the game was the team that scored least shots overall and that was Bill’s lot. Everybody agreed that it was tough to get your head around the concept but I think everyone was up for doing this again. Which was a positive. Wierd lot – our lot.
9:15. It’s the time that its aways been
Hoo Ha! lot of huffing and puffing from our players. All to no avail as Keith Prentice’s team took the time-piece again this year. I think we would have about 15 Earlston players in 3 teams during the course of the league but although it came down to results in 3 games in the last round to shake out the winner, in the end, Keith did the business.
Ladies League Winners
Congratulations to Marion and Liz for winning the Ladies League trophy. Lying in 3rd place in the league at the play-off stage, they won their two play-offs to reach Finals day. This game was against Judith Dixon and in the event, after posting a 5 in the first end, it was a comfortable 14-3 win for our two Earlston ladies. Fantastic.
Auld Yin in Auld Yins win
Mention is due to Gerry for winning the Auld Yins league this year. Playing in James Dixon’s rink they went through the season without losing a game. Their final tie was against Tommy Hinnigin’s team in which a slightly younger L Massari featured and whilst there was no doubt about the championship, it was a tough enough match. Well done to Gerry and Tsch! Good chase Luigi.
Border League
Well. In a strangely familiar situation after a stellar performance through the year winning our section, we failed to negotiate the page playoffs for the final. First game against the other section winners, Selkirk, saw us struggling to really get the weight right as they got it spot-on. So with Selkirk now through, we faced Yester as winners of the 2nd place tie against Glendale. After a tight start, even first half, we lost our way and they won through to meet Selkirk in the final. Players on the day were Jim, Graeme Cowe, Bill and Liz but thanks to everyone for playing in the various games through the season.
Dickinson
Sorry to say that our progress to the final of the Dickinson was curtailed in the Semi in a game against Coldstream. After getting past a ‘President’s Select’ and Foulden teams, Marion, Wendy (subbing for Ewan), Luigi and Lesley Cowe held this game to a 4-4 peel after the 8 ends. An extra end ensued to settle the tie and ultimately we couldn’t prevent the relentless build up in the head. A tense game to watch and some great shots played. Tough though.
President v Vice President
Madam President and Madam VP set up a couple of rinks to play each other as an almost, final game of the season. Phil, George, Steven and Lynsey faced up for the fun against Bill, Luigi, Gerry and Sheena. At the end of the fun, prizes of Easter eggs were presented to the runners up and more Easter eggs were presented to the winners – Mrs VP’s rink. Thanks to all for playing and rounding off the season in a sociable way and to Mrs VP for the eggsellent prizes.
Skins
A surprise competition this year but really good fun. With 12 folk interested in playing but not all able to play all the dates, we settled on having two games in which everyone could have a go. We even mixed up the teams so no one could figure out who did best. Once we figured out the rules enough to get started, we scratched our heads as we played to figure out how to win – or prevent a win. Jeez! Bill & Phil skipped both dates against each other and Phil won one and Bill won t’other. Thanks to players, Lynsey, Sheena, James, Jim, Liz, David, George, Luigi, Gerry and Steven for giving it a go, Might do this again methinks.
Dram
Eight pairings were up for the competition which is a pretty good entry. On Thursday 15th, we had our first dram. In fact four. Phew! I’m shure there were shome good shots too. The follwing Monday we had another two as we played the semi finals. The final was contested between Ewan and Gerry and John Burns and Tracy. Ewan and Gerry came off best in that encounter so congratulations on a good performance through the competition to them.
Gala cup
This competition of 23 teams has run through the course of the season, starting way back in October. We had two entries. Bill’s rink of Graeme and Lesley Cowe and Sheena tumbled out to Duns in November but our other team, sometimes containing Jim & Liz but ultimately, Graeme Wilson, Ewan, Lynsey and Russet, won the cup in the final 5-2 against St Boswells. Congratulations to everyone involved in getting to that win.
Slides of March
Congratulations to Graeme Cowe’s rink of Lynsey, Margaret and Lesley Cowe in winning the slides, this year. Winning their three games, they showed us all just how it’s not just playing, its sliding – with style.
Weekend one-der
We had a sole representative from the club playing in the Weekend trophy this year. Luigi, sponsoring the event, playing in Gary Craig’s team got through two rounds to make the final against Paul Jess’ team. A scoreline of 8-3 saw them fairly convincingly tipped into the runner-up spot. Shame.
Rare Ayr Inter-city win
Rare in the sense of frequency and also that it was a grand affair. The Borders lifted the Smillie Quaich at the annual contest through in Ayr. The first time since 2005 methinks. Our itinerant curler Luigi, was playing in the event in Stuart Craig’s rink with Gillian Smith and Nina Clancy, winning their game 8-3. That’s about it really. Nothing more to say, said Luigi. I’d say well done.
Loads o’ Room in the Oakroom – NOT!
Well. For Earlston ladies it seems. We had seven playing in the Ladies Oakroom Bonspiel – Lynsey, Marion, Sheena, Russet, Liz, Lesley and Wendy. At the end of the day, there were two teams on the same shot difference and same number of ends and the differentiator of shots scored became important. 12 v 11. So that found Sheena, playing in Venetia Scott’s rink with Elspeth Bell and Ann Tait shading the win over Wendy. Pretty good to see us in the mix. Well done.
National Masters Mastered
The National Masters finals were held at Greenacres over the weekend 4th/5th Feb with both Jim and Liz in action – seperately, you understand.
Jim was playing in Keith Prentice’s rink and came out of their section with max points. They continued in that vein winning their semi pretty comfortably. The final match against Gavin Hamilton’s Ayr rink, saw them ending up 8-2 winners and consequently, National Masters champions. Sounds pretty good Eh? Liz played in Margaret Robertson’s rink and they too came out as qualifiers from their section. The semi was as far as they could get on the day, though, falling foul of Maggie Scott’s Kinross rink. Still! Bloomin’ good.
Club Points Challenge
We had 18 clubs competing in the Challenge this year. Again, sponsored by Made by Marion and this year by the Chinese laundry for which, to both, it is much appreciated. Our club threesome – Phil, Ewan & Jim(replacing G Wilson) led off the evening’s curling across each of the first four disciplines finding the ice pretty tough to get to grips with. But then so did most others and it turned out to be a fairly low scoring year by past year’s standards. A top score of 34 was declared by both Ayton Castle and Foulden and a tie break was on the cards. Wait though. Foulden gone home? Oh dear! That would make Ayton Castle the winners then since they never leave a party ’til it’s well and truly done. Congratulations to them. They got their cakes and ate them. Also to Marion because she made the highest individual score of 22.
District Medal
Graeme Wilson headed up a rink playing 37 Club from Edinburgh.Playing with Phil, Ewan and Luigi in the rink, they won 11-4, so well done to all concerned. (I think that’s the second time in recent years that we’ve played 37 club – winning again. They wont want to be seeing us again anytime soon.)
Four Nations
A wee note that we had 3 curlers playing in the four nations competition this year – Liz, Jim and Lynsey. Lynsey played in the team winning against the English Ladies and took the Connie Miller trophy. Pretty good result there.
Directors
Six Earlston curlers took up positions in the Directors this year. Graeme Wilson’s rink of Phil Ewan &??? got through to the semi’s in the high road where Andrew Reed’s team put paid to their ambitions. Jim substituted for Graeme due to the latter sustaining injury to his arm. Luigi, playing in Paul Jess’ rink made the other high road semi to be ousted by eventual winners skipped by Graeme Baxter. Wendy’s rink of Mgt Robertson, June Swan & Anne McCauley fell to Andrew Reed’s own ambitions in the second round. Tough, Tough competition, this.
Ladies Pairs
The Ladies Pairs competition saw 3 members participating. Marion and Wendy teamed up and topped off their section by winning both games. Madam President was with Glynnis Lauder but they unfortunately didn’t make it out the group. Not too sure who our duo met in the play-offs for the finals, nor how that game went but we didn’t get there. Margaret Robertson and Gillian Smith carrying the day.
Cowdenknowes
A hard fought competition this year saw the final being contested by the youngest and oldest of our skips. Hmmm! Cammy, Lynsey, Ian Sands and Steven played an excellent final keeping a tight grip on the game against Jim, Luigi, Sheena and Tracey. The damage was done by the end of the 6th at 8-1 in the youngster’s favour when hands were shaken.
Birlin’ Broom
Five rinks of rotating sweepers contested the competition this year in the form of a single league. After four games apiece, congratulations go to Ewan, Luigi, Gerry and Steven. The outcome went down to the wire or the last end with a 2 in the final end of the last game being decisive. Phew.
Club Points
The Club points competition was held with 9 players attending. The end of the evening saw Phil top the leader board to claim the trophy. Graeme Wilson, and Ewan claimed the other spots to go forward to the Club Points Challenge. Scores were: Phil 36 points, Graeme 35 and Ewan 31. Well done Phil
Club Bonspiel
Reliable?? informants tell me the bonspiel was a roaring success with a number of guests joining us from various clubs. Played as a Rhymers Reel there was apparently a great deal of noise on the ice. It was a close thing but the winning rink was finally exposed as: Neil McLain, Liz Martin, David Mitchell and Margaret Sands. Well done.
Harry Hoggers
After several games starting way back in November, our team 1 – G Wilson, Ewan, Lynsey and Lesley Cowe managed to get past, Coldstream, Roxburgh and Selkirk to reach the semi-final. There they met St.Boswells and then parted company with the competition. Glendale beat St.Boswells in the final. Interestingly, they also beat our team 2 – Jim, Wendy, Bob & Liz, earlier in the competition.
Tweedmouth Kettle
Last year’s winners were again up for the challenge of this quite special trophy. Winning their way past such stalwarts as Foulden and Swinton, then Lammermuir in the semi final, the two teams of Graeme Wilson, Marion, Phil/Luigi and Sheena and Ewan, Wendy, Lynsey & Liz came of second best to Duns in a tough final. With one game drawn and the other ending 2 shots down, we had to settle for the Crawford Cup.
2017 Men’s tour to USA
When he goes, will he send back, a letter frrrom America?
Nae chance of that but you can catch up with Bill’s progress on the Tour via the website rccc2017tour.com
Senior Moments best forgotten
Where to start?
Well. With John Stevenson still out on the injured list, his team of Bill, Graeme Cowe and Luigi drafted in Gary Craig to fill his boots. Unfortunately, even though they had some really good games, it was 0 wins- 4 defeats in the group section meaning we got to come home early on Sunday. Jim’s team suffered a late withdrawal for injury too with Bobby unable to make the trip and with a team of dingers – Colin Martin, Paul Jess and John Walker, he too got to the 0-4 point. Having to play his last game, though they found the wherewith-all to give Robin Aitken’s rink a going over. So cheers to them for finishing on a wee high.
Quizspiel
I told you. I’m not talkin’ about the quizspiel. (Havn’t a clue what went on)
Border Bonspiel
Time again for our three rink entries to pit their wits against the best. Nope. Not talkin’ about the quizspiel but the curling.
1st up was Jim, Wendy, Liz & Russet, pitched against a Lauderdale rink and winning 13-11. Next, Graeme Wilson, Phil, James & Kath rocked up against a Duns team and were severely rocked back on their heels in a 10-3 scoreline. The second day saw Marion, Graeme Cowe, John Burns & Lynsey competing against a Chirnside team. Although the Chirnsiders stole a 4, our four came out tops with an 11-7 win. Overall, that left us with some fraction of an average and nowhere near enough to trouble the overall winners Duns.
Mixed Invitation
Think this is the last of the catch up reports – until our reporter gets back, anyway. Way back at the end of November, Wendy’s rink, comprising Stuart Craig, Nina Clancy and Bobby had some mixed adventures in the Invitation weekend. After playing 3 section games the top three teams in each section played off for the High Road Final. Dont watch that though, watch this. The bottom three teams played off in the Low Road and winning 2 games and drawing 1, saw Wendy at the top of the board. Congrats to them for winning the low road.
Garth Brooks comeback tour
Crikey! Singin’ the praises again of our one and only Mr Loooweegie Maaaasssaaari for lifting the Ralphie (still not a euphemism). Playing in Gary Craig’s rink, way back at the beginning of December, they retained the Ralph Brooks trophy. This year it really was a comeback from being 5-1 up after 3 ends to be trailing 6-5 going into the last end, they eventually sealed the deal with a 2. Phew!
League winners already crowned
In the words of our esteemed Treasurer and league table puter-uper – Congratulations to Graeme Wilson, Linsey McGillivray, James Morison and Russet Fullarton on winning the club League in convincing style. Yes, I know they did it with quite a few games to go but I’m afraid it was done and dusted, over and done with, finito! a good few games before the fat lady sang.
Apologies for the late posting of this, erm? Post.
Ladies Presidents Bonspiel
Ladies Presidents competition is something I hadn’t heard of before but it was held last week at Lockerbie. Lynsey played in Elspeth’ Bell’s rink where they played a first game of five ends. Being top equal at that stage, they shenkled-out to play another five ends. In between that they had a lovely lunch and at the end of the day, they found they had won. The rink was skipped by Judith Dixon and Helen Forbes made up the fourth member. Prizes for the day were M&S vouchers and this necessitated a stop-off in Gretna Green where they were redeemed for….. something! The happy foursome stopped off for some chips, with fish, at Hawick. It wiz a great day oot, is what I’m told.
Pairs
Eight Pairs contested the trophy this year in a knockout format and as is usual for the competition, the gallery (for that read the other pairs waiting to play or having just played) were treated to some very fine curling. In the end, Graeme Cowe & Liz played t’other Graeme and Mararet in the big final. GC & Liz lifted that trophy. The wee trophy, the rediscovered plate, saw Ewan and Tracy fighting it out with Bill and James. Ewan and Tracy came out tops there, showing that he really, really wanted that plate back.
RCCC Rink Championship
We had two teams in this competition and that amounted to two-thirds of this year’s entries. Jim’s Earlston Team’One, comprising Liz, Bob and Wendy overcame Selkirk in their first round tie. Team two – Lynsey, John Burns, Graeme Cowe and Bill lost out however to Michael Sutherland’s Foulden team, saving us the situation where both Earlston teams would play each other in the second round. Foulden again saw off the Earlston team and even the ‘ones’ were no more. Meanwhile Lees had dispatched Yester in their 1st game (I know. 1st game, the semi final??) and now faced Foulden for the silverware. After a tense ending to the game, Lees came off best and won the trophy. I’m only going the whole way with the story because our very own Robert Laidlaw skipped his Mother club’s rink. A really fine outcome for his team.
Laidlaw
Crazy competition where team members cannot play the same positions again in subsequent rounds, so the original line up of Jim, Ewan, Marion & Luigi, having won through the first game against Swinton, had to reshuffle for the next round. Jim couldn’t play this one so Ewan, Phil, Marion & Luigi sallied forth against Coldstream. Sadly, we’ll never know their next formation since that was as far as we got. Coldstream got a lot further and won the thing – 9th November.
Edinburgh International Seniors
Just a wee word on a nearly fantastic performance by 3 of our ladies and an almost good enough from our 3 guys. Ladies first. Congratulations to Wendy, Marion & Liz for coming 3rd in their competition held at Murrayfield over the weekend. With skip, Margaret Robertson, they came out of their section with 3 wins and 1 defeat. They were pitched against Kate Adams in the quarter finals and unfortunately lost. The playoff for third spot however saw them successful against Maggie Barry’s team. So a pretty happy Sunday for them then. Bill, Graeme Cowe & Luigi, playing this year with Paul Jess at skip, put up a fine fight in their section being peels going into the last end in two games but losing out in both, A win against Michael Sutherland’s team was savoured but a peel in the last game against Team Harvey (three of Yester men in there) was their downfall. They needed to win and score five ends, so tripped out the competition. Harvey was beaten finalist. Ho Hum! Should have had them though.
Henderson Bishop
The BIR playdowns for this premier ladies competition were held over the last two days to rattle out a winner to go to the National finals in March. Well. Six of our girls featured in the competition, with President Lynsey, Leslie Cowe and Sheena in Isla Forsythe’s rink facing up to Marion & Wendy in Venetia Scott’s team which was skipped by Margaret Robertson. The threesome prevailed and moved on to beat Glynnis Lauder’s team in the semi final. On then to meet Joan Reed’s team in the final to just get pipped to the trophy in a 9-7 scoreline. Our Russet played lead for Joan getting her hands on the trophy and a few well earned days at the finals in Kinross. A great turnout from the club for this tough competition.
Woooo ooo ooo! American Women
The USA women’s tour came to town today to play Border Ice Rink ladies. Travelling from Dumfries, they arrived 74 shots up on the home teams. We had 4 Earlston members playing, Lynsey, Liz, Sheena and Lesley Cowe and they helped deliver a fine exhibition for the gallery. The outcome of the day was 2 defeats, a win and a peel. The win cancelled out the two defeats and we awaited the culmination of the last game. With the last stone, the BIR peeled the game resulting in a 28/28 scoreline for the match. Fine stuff.
Matthew Templeton
The MT went swimmingly well for our Graeme until they got into the high road to the trophy, that is. GW and his rink of Phil, Ewan and Cam won their section after 3 fairly tough games and found themselves up against and unstuck by Andy Adams’ Kelso boys in the semi final. Our other interest was Bill’s entry of Graeme Cowe & Luigi, led this year by Gary Craig. Unfortunately, these guys were no swimmers and they found themselves at the bottom of their pool. Arm bands for next year.
Pate Trophy
The annual clash between Border’s and Midlothian clubs was fought out at Kelso on Saturday with the Borders regaining the trophy over the two sessions. With a total of 66 shots scored, the winning margin was close at +12. Phew! Earlston’s team of Jim, Wendy, Marion and Kirsty fought a dogged match against Mid Calder which was kind of eaksy – peaksy until the second last end when they streaked away (I mean the scoreline) and then were pegged back to finish up +2. Bill also played in the Presidents team gaining a further +4 and Robert Laidlaw with his Lees hat on +4, so not a bad day out at all.
Berwickshire Bonspiel
1st of the Province competitions to come under the hammer and our two teams nailed it. 1st up was Bill’s rink of Graeme Cowe, Lynsey & Lesley Cowe playing against Swinton’s Judith Dixon. Three’s were the magic number as they found their way to a 17-3 victory, setting up the stage for the next session. Jim’s rink of Phil, Luigi & Liz administered the coup-de-gras with an 8-4 win over a bullish Lauder team. So, there you go. +18 was the score to beat and no-one came close. Super Saturday.
Ladies Opening Bonspiel
Well. Whadya know. Earlston ladies in the prizes again this year. Big style. Tracy Ross, playing in Lucy Tile’s rink, stood tall on the winners rostrum after their win over Judith Dixon’s team. Runners up were Lynsey McGillivray’s rink, bursting with Earlston girls – Liz and Sheena and with Anne Tait from Coldstream. Also playing in a great day were Marion, Lesley Cowe and Julie. So, seven ladies out of 32 -a pretty good turn-out from the club. Fabulous result. Wouldn’t you say?
A Happy New Season 2016/17
Our sociable start got us off on the right foot with 16 members pitching up for a chance to knock the rust off that slide and sweeping stroke. We even had a visitor from Somerset join us to give it a try. There were some fine shots played in the wee bounce games and you cannot help but get caught up in the thrill, finding that, hmmmm! we shout just as loudly and fervently when we are being sociable as in a competitive match. Ho well. There were scores on the boards but I never noted them and we all headed to the bar to refresh those other parts.
See you in the League.