2018 – 2019
Anyone for a Dalrymple
Wot? I hear you say. The Dalrymple is a competition played at Stranraer, where winners of other rink competitions through the year are invited to a final fling weekend and it obviously is a competitive field of curlers – 28 Rinks worth. Jim, Liz and Graeme and Lesley Cowe were there by dint of being runner up in the high road at the Irish Invitation, back in February. No mean feat, itself. They got to the semi finals and in a tense game on Sunday morning, lost out on the final stone. A 6-4 win in a tense play off got them 3rd place and a nice prize of a wee break in a McMillan Hotel. Not to be sniffed at, at all. Well done.
End of Season Bonspiel
BIR EoS Bonspiel was played out in a single session this year with eight rinks competing. The club fielded 7 players – Tracy, Andy, Danny, Luigi, Russet, Sheena and Bill, which wasn’t so shabby. It was Jock Craig’s rink though, that wasn’t so shabby either as they powered their way to a comfortable win in their game. Happily, Sheena helped realise the win along with Liz Martin and Roger Spark.
Slides of March
With the season slip-slidin’ away, 4 rinks played out the final club competition,bringing it to a head on Thursday night. Bill’s rink of George, Lesley Cowe and Linda was top of the pile going into the final match against Jim’s team. A win of +7 shots would see the decisive swing in the poll for Jim to bag the title. Certainly do-able. With Tracey subbing for Lesley and Lynsey and Russet in for Jim and Liz (who had just won the Stewart Salver), a great tussle ensued. Honours even at the final whistle though, with a 6-6 scoreline. So. Congratulations to Bill’s rink on a fine run of games.
Stewart Salver
Great win the Stewart Salver for Jim’s rink. Playing with Marion, Andy Adams and Liz, this mixed rink final saw them mixing it with Colin Martin’s team of Liz Martin, Frank Forrest and Anne McAuley. This lineup would have had folks salivating over a tasty game but as it turns out, Jim took control and piled on the pressure. getting a 3 in the 6th end probably put the tin-lid on things but the last end added another 2 to make it 9-2. Well done
Ladies League
Anyone viewing the league finals being held on Tuesday, there would’ve witnessed a very excellent game played in the Ladies league final. Well the BIR league was also good too but we didn’t have anyone playing in that. The ladies rinks contesting the final were skipped by Wendy and Marion. Liz was in there too playing with Marion. Marion surged ahead in the first couple ends but Wendy came back and the both vied for supremacy. Right down to the last end when Wendy had to choose between going for a big score with a risky guard in the way or play the other side to take a one and play an extra end. Well half the gallery called it right and we were in the extra end. That went down to the last stones too with Wendy taking out and lying and Marion’s final stone just drawing too much to skiff by the inside of the stone. Great game and a great win for Wendy and her rink.
PS Earlston Primary School wer also playing for the big trophy in the schools finals. Unfortunately, Yetholm PS were just too good on the day and took the prize. Great to see them all at the ice rink enjoying their day.
Cunningham
We have Harry Wilson and Danny Ewen to congratulate on winning the cunningham trophy. Playing in James Stark’s rink with new ice man Josh, they had a nip and tuck sort of match with it lying all square going into the last end. They managed to edge out Charles Brookers rink with the last shot of the game. This was a successful defence of the title for Harry and James – Well done there . Not so sure James can go again but Harry certainly go for the treble next year.
Auld Yin’s End of Season Clearance
You’re getting two titles in one go with this report. Mainly because they were both won by Richard at the close of the season. 1st up and getting to the top of a nine-team league, he won the Auld Yins league title playing with James Dixon, Angus McMillan and Wilma Cumming. Obviously thinking that wasn’t enough, he continued his smash and grab on the Auld Yins trophies by winning their end of season bonspiel. This time skipping Andrew Allman, Morven Stone and Gordon Low to success. Cracking way to end the season.
Morton maxed out
A brief note to congratulate BIR ladies for getting into the final of the Morton Competition. We had Marion, Wendy and Liz playing in finals day at Kirkcaldy Ice rink and they beat Forfar in their semi final Unfortunately, they couldn’t get to grips with the Kirkcaldy ice and Ayr Ladies at the same time in the final. Maxed out? That’d be the men’s Maxwell competition at Hamilton the same day. Jim and Bill were with the BIR lads facing Stranraer in the semi final and with all three of our teams losing that encounter, all that was left to them was to nip over to support the ladies. Nae luck with that either.
Pate pt 2
If you remember ‘way back in October, I reported on the Pate encounter that was postponed by the previous season’s ‘Beast from the East’. That didn’t go well for Border Ice Rink and we came to this year’s match, proper, on Saturday. When we pitched up for our game against DAFS club, BIR were +7 shots which was good but not a great margin. We knew we would be in for a tough session. As it happens, our curlers – Graeme Wilson, Bill, Marion & Sheena were well up to the job and managed to keep up the pressure to win their game 9-4. Not so, the other sheets where Midlothian picked up 3 wins. There was a bit of tension in the crown to see who won overall but for those that could count, we knew. BIR 50, Midlothian 47. YUS!.
PS – Not a bad year for the club in terms of Pate games – 2 wins for Earlston teams.
Weekend trophy
Out of a twelve team entry this year, we had John Stevenson getting all the way to the final in Stuart Craig’s team alongside Graeme Baxter and Josh Hogarth. Ice Ice baby! The final itself, was against Helen Matheson’s team without Helen but with Thomas Stevenson. John won. how could he?
Dickinson
Ewan, Wendy, Bob and Tracy won the final of the Dickinson Trophy today by seeing off what looked to be a pretty handy Coldstream rink. The competition was played over 4 rounds in which our players also beat Greenlaw, Ayton Castle and Duns before concluding things with shake of hands after a 10-3 scoreline in the final. That’s an impressive run of wins and thoroughly deserved success. Congratulations.
Broomin’ ‘eck
Ha! As the Birlin Broom drew to a close, it was close. It all came down to the second last game at which point 3 teams had the ability to lift the trophy. In the match between Jim’s rink and Graeme Cowe’s, Jim just needed to win and Graeme needed to win by a margin of 7 shots. In the end Jim didn’t and neither did Graeme so Ewan, sitting at home, did. Congratulations to Ewan, Luigi, Lesley and Linda for coming out top.
Dram fine performance
Your virtual reporter, reporting, virtually from the other side of the world, to offer congratulations to John Burns and Luigi for winning Donnie’s Dram this year. The pair won both games in their micro league to reach the final against Jim and James who had a tighter run, getting there on shots difference. Had everybody quaichin’ in their boots apparently. Har! Har!
Open Pairs
My able substitute reporter managed to report he substituted quite ably in the open pairs. Luigi was drafted in at the semi final stage in the Low Road replace Lewis McCran, playing with Jim Lawson and went on to win 9-3 in the final. Admirable
Directors ding-dong
The Directors competition saw a bit of a tussle between Earlston members this year. Team Stevenson, featuring Graeme Cowe, Bob Henderson and John Hodge met Team Wilson in the semi final. That was Graeme, Ewan, Luigi and Robert Lamont. So! 6 Rhymers and 2 Dingers facing off in the semi final which ended up 7-3 in GW’s favour. With a reversal of fortune in the final against Ice man, Graeme Baxter’s rink and losing a 5 along the way, that game slid away from our team. No prizes then but good to see our members getting to the business end of one of the premier ice rink competitions.
Senior’s success – Sort of!
This one is hot off the press – scalding, but needs must. Sorry to report that Wendy’s team in the Scottish Senior Championships played this weekend at Perth, saw them lose out to a place in the final by one shot. Having won all their games in their group stage, they met team Kesley and this looked to be a tough game. Wendy was 5 shots down at the end of the 6th and managed to pull back two shots in each of the last two ends to finish up 6-5. Gritty comeback but that will be no consolation for them. Well done to her and Margaret Robertson, Anne McAulay and Liz Martin for a really fine performance.
Jim also made it to the Championship but this time, his team were not able to gain any purchase in their campaign. Great to have a couple of Rhymers playing at the top end of our sport though.
Cowdenknowes Champions
The Cowdenknowes Cup competition started ‘way back on 10th December with 6 teams in two mini leagues before getting to the knockout semi and final. Bill’s team of John Burns, James and Harry negotiated their way to the final unbeaten to meet Marion’s rink of Luigi, Lesley Cowe and Tracey. Both out of the same starting league as it happens. Unfortunately for Marion, she was off enjoying a holiday and Ewan got to play the game. This was a tight affair, with Bill getting steadily away only to be pegged back twice. With Ewan sitting with a good load of stones counting in the 6th end, it looked pretty grim but Bill’s pretty, pretty draw in to the tee line within the 4 foot ring saw the key point in the match. (I know. Who writes this stuff?) Last end had Bill’s team lying 3 in the 4 foot and well guarded. After much thought, Ewan played a draw that got round the guard but couldn’t curl enough into the pocket on the pot lid. Congratulations to Bill, John, James and Harry. We think, incidentally, that Harry must be the youngest ever winner of this trophy. Fabulous.
Points
That time of year when everything gets a bit pointy. Everybody’s at it. For our competition, we had 9 curlers turning out – Two Graemes, Liz, Ewan, Tracey, Julie, James, Bill & John Burns. After getting our way through 8 disciplines we found we had two winners – Graeme Wilson & Ewan. Hmmm! Getting to be a theme this year and we cannae have that. What’s the point? So a final deciding discipline of drawing through the port was set up. On the way up the ice, Ewan was the only one to score, getting two points. On the way back, Ewan’s first stone missed, GW set up for his shot……and the lights went out. Drama. Raymond was setting off home. Much noise ensued ’till he was halted in his tracks and put the lights back on. Anyway, it didn’t put Graeme off and he slotted the gap to even the score. Ewan’s last foundered leaving Graeme to steal the title. He did just that although I’m sure it was everyone’s deep intake of breath that pulled his stone past the sitting stone. Fag paper stuff. Well done to Graeme on 41 (+4), Ewan 41 (+2) and Graeme Cowe on 39 points. They will represent the club in the Club Points being held later in the month.
Cullen Cup Concludes
The Cullen Cup came to an end with the final 2 games unable to alter the position at the top of the league. Bill’s team had progressed through their games without losing, getting them 6 points with closest second & third positions on 3. That final game for Bill against Graeme Wilson was where the wheels came off their wagon though, losing that tie by a whopping 10 shots. Oooooer! The other game on the last night was much more competitive but couldn’t change the overall picture. Congratulations to Bill, Lynsey, Margaret & Russet.
District Medal win
We had drawn a visiting rink this year. Balruddery club travelled down from Dundee to play the tie and it is good to see folk willing to make the journey to BIR, especially at this time of year when weather can be a bit of an unknown factor. Not so this year though with mild temperatures all round and after meeting up in the cafe before the game, we set to. Graeme Wilson, Bill, Luigi and Tracey won the first couple ends before reply and it looked like our visitors had got the ice susssed. Although they played a doughty game, we kept edging ahead and in the end, posted a 13-1 win. We repaired to the bar afterwards and enjoyed a bit of a chat before they set off. Well done Rhymers.
PS Should just note that Tracey & Luigi went straight on to play in the Lauderdale bonspiel and Tracey was in the winning team. HA! A good day there then.
PPS Luigi didn’t win anything in a raffle this week. That must be news.
Not quite the whole Hogg
The final day of the Harry Hogg arrived and our team got of to a crackling great start by posting a pretty resounding 10-0 win over Coldstream in the semi final. It’s a bit of a long haul, this competition and in earlier rounds, we had wins over Roxburghe, Foulden and the other Coldstream team. Jim, Marion, Ewan and Tracey must have used up a lot of their ammo in the semi however, since we could only muster 3 shots in the final against Glendale and found it a tough ask to hold onto them (was going to say something there about a greased pig but thought it a bit too corny. Maybe next year). So. Runners up medals this year. Still no bad.
Club Bonspiel
We held a very successful club bonspiel on Saturday night there. With 23 club members joined by 9 guests,we stepped gaily onto the ice for a Rhymer Reel. We went heel for heel and toe to toe to sort out a winning rink. Many a fitbit went into overdrive as we cut over the ice sheets, up and down, sweeties ate and teeth – lost crowns. All to get a winner. Runners up were John Sinton, Isla Forsyth, Lesley Cowe and Danny Ewan who won a half bottle of Prosecco apiece (except Danny who lifted a box of chocs) with +3 shots and 3 ends won. Colin Stirling’s rink however went clear past the sheiling and oot the town with a score of +11 and winning all 7 ends. So congratulations to Colin, Bill Byers, David Armstrong and Lesley Wilson who won a bottle of Prosecco each. The company enjoyed a fine meal, game of Irish Bingo and a very generous raffle before the night was brought to a close. Many thanks to our guests and to everyone who helped out to make it a good night and/or provided raffle prizes. Finally a big thank you to Madame President, Sheena for the organisation of the event and for providing the bonspiel prizes.
Kettle potted
Hoooooeeeee! That was a tense finale to the final. Eh? The great news is we managed to win the Tweedmouth Kettle…..again. Yes the two rinks of Ewan, Wendy, Marion and James and Graeme Wilson, Bill, Luigi and Andy fairly safely navigated the semi final against Foulden to meet Duns in the final. The ground work was laid the previous week by beating Coldstream, which is a tough test at any time. Tricky thing, though, watching scores on two sheets. Graeme’s lot were bagging two’s over the first 3 ends whilst Ewan was shipping singles and the odd two shots, then Ewan grabbed a four putting an entirely different complexion on their game. After a bit, Graeme lost a four, making the run-in to the last a bit exciting. More so, since Ewan’s game was beaten by the clock finishing 1 up and Graeme’s team had to soldier on and protect the 3 shot lead. A nail-biting end for players and spectators alike as we were all wondering how a peel would be resolved but conceding a one was the out turn of their game to finish up +2 overall. Ye-Hey! No Crawford Cup this year but the top prize. Welcome back, Kettle.
Yuill Deadlock unpicked
The Yuill Trophy league ended on 27th November last year but due to the top two sides being completely equal on points and shots difference and on the head-to-head encounter between the two being a peels, we had endless speculation on how this impasse could be resolved. President Sheena called her cabinet together and after a great deal of debate and trading of positions it was determined the trophy winner would emerge from a play off to be played on 11th January 2019. Decision Day, No second referendum would be needed. And so the game got underway and in the way of these times, nothing was being decided until the 6th end. Almost right to the wire. At the end of the 5th, the score had peeled for the second time, this time at 5-5 but Jim’s rink took a 4 in the 6th. You’d have thought that would be that but some doughty shot making from Graeme Wilson’s crew meant a four was on the cards for them. Alas, Jim closed off all the doors and although slim, the opportunities melted away. The final score was 10-5 but that by no means reflects on just how close the contest was. Well done to Jim, Luigi, George and Bob. Commiserations to Graeme, John Burns, Russet and Doreen. Congratulations to them all for a memorable League competition.
Border Bonspiel & Quizspiel
#Bigbonspiel. The one where we need to field 3 teams. First up was Earlston 3, with Wendy Graeme Cowe, Bob and Lesley Cowe playing against Selkirk. They did rather well winning the game by 5 shots. Next came Earlston 1. Jim’s rink of Marion, Liz and Russet won 10-5 against Greenlaw to bank another 5 shots. So far so good but the club average of 3.3 against leaders, Lees’ 6.5, left the final game looking to win by more than 10 shots. Whilst we could do the maths, the game plan went waaaay out the window. Bill’s final rink of Lynsey, James and Sheena faced off against Lauderdale and crashed to a 14-2 defeat. Whilst that was sore, it mucked up Lees winning the prize. It going instead to Lauder. Oooops!
#quizspielwinners. Yes indeed. Happy to say that our quizers managed to lift the intellectual prize. Jim,Liz and John and Eleanor Burns proved too hot to handle in the annual quiz later that same night. Lets concentrate on that happy thought.
Senior Men’s Qualifier
Success for club members in the qualifiers for the Senior Championship again this year, but on a diminishing front. Jim managed best to navigate a way through their section at Forfar to qualify for the finals which will be held at Dewars Centre in Perth at the end of January. After six tough games, his rink of Colin Martin, Paul Jess and Andy Adams to end up in second place with 4 wins from 6 games. Not at all shabby in this sort of company. John Stevenson and Bill, in their rink with John Hodge and Roddy McLean and in the same group as Jim, managed to register 3 wins and were shaded out of the necessity to play a tie breaker for 3rd qualifier spot. Oh well! Best of luck in the Finals Jim.
Gala Cup
Away back on 20th October, two Earlston teams set out to make the final of the Gala Cup. I can tell you that they both made it too ending up in a battle of the giants, last weekend. Guaranteed silverware for the end of season table. Jim, Bill, Liz & Russet first beat Kelso, then squeaked past Gary Craig’s Selkirk and finally Swinton to get there. Graeme Wilson, sometimes Ewan, Wendy, John Burns & Tracey played Greenlaw, then totally booted Duns out the park and defeated Ayton Castle to get their shot at the trophy. A finely balanced tussle ensued in the final with singles being traded up until the 4th end when a blank was the best that could be salvaged. JC’s rink took a 3 in the 5th however, then another one, leaving Graeme to chase 3 to peel the game. The final end was clinical however and the chance to gather enough stones in the head, melted away. It was a tough and exciting game, worthy of any final.
Swan – Sunk
John Stevenson, Bill, Bob Henderson and John Hodge (Duns) first played Oliver Stark’s Roxburghe crew and won through to meet Keith Prentice’s rink also featuring Jim Cullen. John’s rink met that challenge full on and made decent job of controlling the outcome. That got our lads into the final to face a Foulden rink containing Jim Laing, Jim Wood, John Dudgeon and Sandy Laing. Thes guys had put paid to Luigi’s ambitions on the way. Bob couldn’t do the final so John Burns stepped in (or up?) to play in what turned out to be a really tense affair with the two teams nip and tuck all the way. John needed to get a two to win with last stone – at worst, surely a single to peel the match and go into an extra end. Except that wasn’t the worst. A pick up saw the stone take a swing out towards the wings and the Foulden boys carried the day and the trophy, away.
This is a competition of two parts however and the Ladies section got underway with Wendy and Liz playing in Margaret Robertson’s rink and Russet in Liz Martin’s. Liz and Wendy had a great win against Gwen Prentice’s team to get into the final but Wendy had to head off too with her place being taken by Isla Forsyth. Unfortunately, their game against Judith Dixon’s rink didn’t at all go to plan and they didn’t make it.
So there you go. Two swans a-swimming – off in the wrong bloomin’ direction.
Pairs
This year’s pairs competition got off to a fine start with 8 rinks promising to delight the crowds with their scintillating play. Oooooo! Well! How did that go? I think we can safely say there were some very good shots played by leads and skips alike, as we progressed through the rounds and the bookies didn’t get it all there own way either. In the semi’s Graeme W & Sheena peeled their game with Robert & Liz and with drawing the shot being the decider, Robert & Liz found their way into the trophy final. Bill & Lynsey found the plate route opened up to them when needing a two to force the draw shot challenge against John S & James and could only grab a single. The plate final was over first with Graeme & Sheena and Bill & Lynsey serving up a very fine display but Bill & Lynsey edged them out to win the plate. John & James in combative form, stormed their way to lifting the trophy against Robert & Liz. All very entertaining. Well done.
RCCC Rink Championship
“We’re no the champions, my friends. But we kept on fighting to the end…….” Ach two bites at the Coldstreamers and we still had to settle for second. Rink 2, who played first, prevailed over the Lees club and Rink 1 who played second, ended up second in their match. This was quite the debacle with both teams ready to play with one member short, Bill with Liz, Russet and eventually, Luigi were up against Coldstream who were waiting on Stuart Craig. Agreement came that since we were both short we would start and proceeded to rack up penalty points until we were complete. Ha! The game came down to peels into the last end and Bill drawing in for two in the four foot. Craigie shimmied past the guards with last stone to score one biting the pot lid. Wish he hadn’t turned up. Anyhow, after Ewan’s team of Marion, Wendy and David had moved on and summarily disposed of Greenlaw, they too had a shot at Coldstream. Three down after two ends, it didn’t look too promising but they pulled it back but not quite enough losing, again, by a shot. A fun day. Never mind, both The finalists get to go to the RCCC finals later in the season.
STOP PRESS Yuill Trophy excitement
Last night saw the concluding games being played in the league, bringing with it an exciting and intriguing end.
Congratulations so far to Graeme Wilson’s rink and to Jim’s rink for ending up joint top on points and shot difference. Contain yourselves as the committee go into special session to determine how the winner of the Yuill Trophy is decided. Unprecedented. At least in my time.
PS – A deciding match is to be played by the two teams at a convenient date, as availability of suitable ice for all, can be determined. Still exciting.
Virtual Bonspiel
I’d like to recognise the bit of success enjoyed my our 3 newest members playing in the Virtual Club Bonspiel at Braehead. Rachael playing with her family were placed 3rd overall and Andy and Danny playing in the opposite section, made 4th place. That’s a really good showing and deserving of congratulations. Well done.
Weekend Invitation
Luigi, Lynsey and Russet took part in the BIR Invitation Weekend. L&L in Paul Jess’ team and Russet playing with team Arkley. L&L had an ‘ell of a time winning through to the high road and only being pipped to the major prize by Sandy Nelson’s visiting rink. after excELing in the final game and peeling the match, it waslost on a count on ends won. Runners up prizes looked nice but, hmmmmm! Almost. It was a great final. Congratulations
Edinburgh International Seniors – Ladies
This is hot off the press tonight – ‘Earlston Lady in Seniors Success’
Wendy, with Margaret Robertson, Liz Martin and Anne McAauley won a fairly high scoring but ultimately, very tight final (10-9) against Jackie Lockhart’s team. Having won 2 of their 3 group games, they look to have had a good grip of their semi final against Maggie Barrie’s rink. An excellent end to a good looking weekend. Congratulations.
Berwickshire Bonspiel
The ‘Berwickshire’ requires a couple of teams from the club to play with the average of the two results being posted. Well the 1st encounter was Bill, Graeme and Lesley Cowe and Sheena pitched against Ayton Castle, which was lost 7-4 and this left a heck of a hill for Graeme Wilson to climb in the next session. With Ewan, Luigi and David, they had Lauderdale to contend with and managed that really quite ably with a score of 11-2. Maybe if they hadn’t lost a 2? Maybe if Bill hadn’t lost his trousers? Too many what iffs.
Foulden won the day having carded a 7 in one end in their game over Greenlaw.
Henderson Bishop Qualifier
Very happy to report that Wendy was in the winning team of the Henderson Bishop qualifier. Playing in June Swan’s rink with Margaret Robertson and Anne McAuley, they had a good win of 8-4 in the final against Gwen Prentice’s team, taking control of the game in the fourth end. A good showing from the club too with Lynsey, Sheena, Lesley & Russet also playing. Best of luck Wendy in the finals to be palyed at Stranraer over 25th – 28th Feb 2019.
Matthew Templeton & Bibby
Well this is some really great news. The premier BIR competition and two Earlston teams came out winning the MT trophy for the first time AND winning the Bibby trophy.
John Stevenson, Bill, Graeme Cowe and Bob Henderson came out their section in runner up spot managing to get past that awkward first game against Greame Wilson’s team of Ewan, Luigi and John Lamont(Duns). Negotiating themselves past Judith Dixon’s rink in the semi, they then got another crack at James Stark’s team in the final. Having lost to them in the second game, John and the boys took a firm grip of the game with a four in the first end and didn’t give them a look-in thereafter, winning 9-2.
Graeme Wilson’s rink, now in the Bibby semi’s, beat Jim’Lawsons rink to face old adversaries, Paul Jess’ team in the final. This was a cagey affair until Graeme bagged a 3 in the 5th end and sealed the deal with another 3 in the 6th. Game over.
Pretty good showing from the club all-round with Robert Laidlaw, Wendy and Linsey also playing, making it 10 members taking part.
Pate Trophy
This is a competition played out annually between Border and Midlothian Provinces. I say annually but this year there are two. First up was this round because the match was deferred due to “inclement” weather at the start of this year. Played at Murrayfield, we were one of the eight borders teams playing and under the skippering expertise of Graeme Wilson, Ewan, Wendy and David were able to bag a win against Sweepers club. Unfortunately, not too many others did and Borders lost the match. Ho Humm! Maybe get the trophy back in March when the Mid Lothian lot come down to Kelso.
Swedish Tour
A headlining act this year was the visit from the Swedish Ladies tour. Liz, as a member of the last outgoing tour to Sweden was the only club member getting a game since the BIR ladies had to share the tie with two rinks from Lockerbie. Bit of a shame that but by all accounts they had an all-round great visit. Even holding a silent ceilidh in the club rooms. Unfortunately, the encounter on the ice saw the tourists adding to their 5 shot tour lead, leaving 8 shots up on the day and now +13 as they head to Edinburgh . Bit of a shame that too.
Laidlaw Trophy
Nice to record success in the Laidlaw competition this year. This is very tricksy. Teams must rotate their rink every round using the same playing order only once – so you cannot play at 2nd again if you have already done so. Mighty important that you get a handy rink together and that is exactly what Marion did. Together with Wendy, Bob & Ewan, they beat Coldstream, then Duns and finally, Foulden to lift the trophy. I understand the semi against Duns was the toughest, needing a draw shot challenge to determine the winner. Phew! It was a much more relaxed game in the final, they say. 1st silverware of the season, I think. Well done.
Ladies Challenge
What can I say? Just a bit too challenging for us this year and although we had a reasonable degree of participation – Wendy, Marion, Russet, Liz and Lesley Cowe, the winners out of each section were visiting teams and therefore the winner was too.
Ladies Opening Bonspiel
Our girls are always quick to make their mark. First competition of the season and six of our ladies feature in a six rink spectacle. Half of our number managed to find themselves in the runner-up rink which was pretty strange but obviously good. Liz, Tracey and Doreen were in Lucy Tile’s rink winning their game by (a number of shots). Also making a great day of it were Lynsey, Julie and Leslie Cowe.
Jump start the new season
Sixteen members turned out for the sociable start to the new season last night. After President Sheena welcomed everyone we split ourselves evenly between the two sheets and set about getting to grips with the ice. Phew! After the hot, hot summer we were back to more familiar temperatures. It was nice to have Andy and Danny Ewen joining us for their first game as new members. At the other end of the spectrum Luigi had already had his first game in the earlier session and it was a good job he’d had the practice. After a bit acclimatising, we shuffled the pack and had a couple of games of 3 ends. No losers on this night. Once we reached the bar, we had a good bit of banter and a laugh and Jim bagged a couple of good quotes to tuck away for the Earlston Curler. Aaaannd – we’re off.
Good curling everyone.
Diamond in the rough
Some excellent news from the BIR AGM held on 20th September. The award of the Ice Diamond was made to our very own Jim Cullen. The award is made to someone who has made an oustanding contribution to Borders curling and is only presented to someone of sufficient stature and achievement. He certainly has done loads nationally, being past RCCC President and for the Borders curling scene and it is well deserved. Congratulations.
GM News
And the difference between an AGM and a GM is A…..
The general meeting of the club was held on Wednesday 22nd August when 12 members attended in the Black Bull. Main news is we still have money in the bank and sufficient players to allow 8 rinks to be formed to compete in the league. A vote was held to select the 8 skips from the nominations made back at the AGM in May. The skips will be: Graeme Cowe, Graeme Wilson, Bill, Marion, Jim, Ewan, Wendy & John Stevenson. Committee meeting next week to sort out the rinks and other arrangements to get us off into a new season.
Things to note:
Monday night ice this year is at either 6:00pm or 8:00pm.
We will play to the new ‘5 rock’ Free Guard Zone rule (see rules in Member’s tab)
Club sociable start is Monday 24th September @8:00pm – only £5.00 each (very sociable).
AGM
After the heady heights of celebrating the season’s successes at Carfrae Mill, the AGM was convened in the Black Bull to mull over and decide the serious stuff. Away wi’ yer seriousness man. With 13 members and 1 guest, there was many a laugh as we worked through the business.
For the next year: President – Sheena; VP – Graeme Cowe; Secretary – Wendy; Treasurer – Jim; Committee – Bill, Julie, Liz, Ewan, David and newbies – James & Graeme Wilson. Ladies Rep – Liz.
Subs – Likely that the RCCC sub will increase by £1.00 moving our combined club & RCCC sub to £26.00. Non-Mother club members will pay £6.00.
Still Solvent = Smiley Treasurer.
Nominations for skips (to be voted on at the general meeting in August) – Jim, Graeme W, Ewan, Graeme C, Cammy, Marion, Bill, John Stevenson, John Burns, Wendy and Phil.
Make sure you get to the GM to ensure your vote is cast. We will also need to have a discussion then on how we schedule competitions and which competitions we run next season to make sure it meets the aspirations of all club members for good enjoyable curling.
Also worth noting – BIR trialling Monday night 6:00 & 8:00 sessions next season