{"id":960,"date":"2015-10-06T20:40:28","date_gmt":"2015-10-06T20:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/?page_id=960"},"modified":"2017-02-22T20:56:05","modified_gmt":"2017-02-22T20:56:05","slug":"nearly-new-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/nearly-new-news\/","title":{"rendered":"2015 – 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Slip Sliding away<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Slides of March brought the season to a close for the club with a game that really mattered. \u00a0A tight wee league with John Stevenson sitting in second place and Graeme Cowe in\u00a0fourth. \u00a0That all turned upside down by the end of the game. \u00a0Graeme’s rink of Luigi, Gerry and Tracey won the match by three shots picking up a two in the last end. \u00a0By winning the game, they were also catapulted to the top of the League which was a position previously occupied by Graeme Wilson who had played a perplexing\u00a0total of 5 games??? \u00a0Hmmm. \u00a0Congrats to Graeme’s rink on a fine end to the season<\/p>\n

9:15<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 9:15 League lived up to its reputation as a tough competition with four teams sitting on 8 points going into the matches and any one of the\u00a0four\u00a0a possible winner – with 11 Earlston curlers involved in the top games. \u00a0John Stevenson’s rink with Bill, Robert Laidlaw and skipped by Graeme Baxter were finally pipped to the title by a rampant Keith Prentice’s rink.\u00a0Not that they were playing each other, its just how the scores went on the night. \u00a0Keith did for Jim, Wendy, Bobby & Liz and the other Rhymers – \u00a0Graeme Wilson, Phil, Graeme Cowe and John Burns were knocked off their perch by\u00a0Bruce Lees’ Kelso laddies. Lovely prizes from the sponsor too.<\/p>\n

Stewart Salver<\/strong><\/p>\n

Success here for John Stevenson, Marion & Bill winning the Archibald Stewart Salver. \u00a0John’s rink also featured Joanne Stevenson one of the ice rink’s youngest curlers. \u00a0A first round win against Paul Jess’ team set them on their way and they overcame Neil MacLean’s rink by a shot in the semi. \u00a0The final was a similarly tight game against Robert Walkers rink, coming down to a tense final end. \u00a0Happily for our three, their final stone, an angled raise, \u00a0just missed lifting our shot. Lovely prizes much appreciated.<\/p>\n

Club Championships<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forget helicopter Saturday. \u00a0This was parachute Thursday with Graeme Wilson dropping in to pair Margaret Robertson in the final of the Championship – and lifting the silverware too. \u00a0Margaret had progressed through the competition partnered with Graeme Baxter but the ice man melted in the heat and a super sub was needed. \u00a0The final was against Marion and Stewart Craig and it was tightly contested. \u00a0With a two shot advantage going into the last end they held on to win. \u00a0Well done our Graeme, said Cilla.<\/p>\n

Other club competitors were Jim & Liz who reached the semis of the Low Road. \u00a0Prior to their last game, Jim said………..<\/p>\n

Border League is Gone Gone gone<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well! \u00a0After the dramatics of finding ourselves in the Agrii Border League page play-offs, the day finally came to lock horns with Yester. The 1st end went our way with a 2 going up on the scoreboard after a measure for 2nd shot. \u00a0In the 2nd end, Yester took a 3 with again, a measure for 3rd. \u00a0Singles were traded until at the end of the 5th end it was 4 apiece. \u00a0An absorbing wee match for the gallery. \u00a0The 6th end was completely different and our dreams evaporated with a mmmmummble \u00a0being conceded. \u00a0Aaaarghh! \u00a0No need to go any further for a final end. \u00a0Game over. Year over.<\/p>\n

Oakroom Success<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well done to Lynsey for winning the Ladies final bonspiel. Playing in Elspeth Bell’s rink they managed to rack up the biggest margin of the day to get the better of Rhona Fleming’s team. Unfortunately that rink contained Kath and Lesley Cowe!!! \u00a0Others playing in a fine day’s competition were Marion, Sheena, Liz & Russet.<\/p>\n

RCCC VP 2B<\/strong><\/p>\n

Big news of the moment is that oor JC is up for VP of the RCCC and then obviously, P.<\/p>\n

It has just been announced that Jim was the sole nomination for Vice President and no election is necessary. His appointment will be formalised during the proceedings of the AGM of the RCCC, which is to be held on Saturday, 18 June 2016 at Braehead Curling Rink at 2pm. \u00a0Great news for Jim and we wish him all the best for the Presidential roles. I’m sure he will relish the whole experience. \u00a0If you see him, congratulate him and he’ll buy you a drink (maybe set a precedent for the next two years).<\/p>\n

CoCo shy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although our Seniors went loco in the Go CoCo Mens Seniors Championships over the weekend, they did put their emphatic stamp on the Borders clash with Keith Prentice’s rink. \u00a0Enduring a tough Section from which came 3 of the semi finalist teams, they posted their only win against the former world champions and 5 times Scottish seniors champions to bring a modicum of satisfaction to their finals experience (not\u00a0saying anything about the heaviest defeats being to the two finalists, Muirhead and Howat!!!!). \u00a0Congratulations to John Stevenson, Bill, Graeme Cowe & Luigi for getting there. \u00a0Top ten finish in Scotland, isn’t all that bad.<\/p>\n

Best Birlers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top of the table clash to sort out this year’s top Birlin’ Broomers, saw Graeme Wilson’s rink win out over Ewan’s. \u00a0Having never lost a game, Graeme, John Burns, Lesley Cowe and Linda kept up the pressure to see out the campaign. \u00a0Swept all before them. \u00a0Ha Ha! Ha Ha! \u00a0Congratulations to them.<\/p>\n

A different Dickensian Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sandwiched between all the Points activity was the Dickinson competition. \u00a0Having won the trophy last year, Ewan, Marion, Luigi and Lesley Cowe attempted to repeat the feat but reckoned without the Greenlaw Scrooges. \u00a0A very competitive game came to an end with Ian Dykes’ draw falling short of the rings leaving a peeled, 5-5, game. \u00a0Phew! \u00a0Draw shots then. This time round though, having had the last stone practice, Ian drew in to lift the tie for Greenlaw. \u00a0Blast.<\/p>\n

President wins Points II<\/strong><\/p>\n

The really, really, \u00a0fabby news is that our team of elite pointers out-pointed all the other clubs to win The ‘Maid by Marion’ Club Points Challenge. The first time we have won the competition, it seems. \u00a0Excellent. \u00a0Anyone following the story will know that Graeme Wilson, Luigi and Liz represented the club this year and with some considerable style, lifted the title with 46 points. \u00a0In second place were Coldstream (41) and then both Glendale and St Boswells (40). \u00a0Luigi came second in the individual highest score stakes with 24 points and Graeme and John Stevenson 4th=, with 22. \u00a0So,\u00a0a great performance on what has to be said was some markedly different ice over the two halves of the competition. After that, a word of appreciation to John Burns and all the helpers for making the night run smoothly<\/p>\n

President wins Points<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why would that be news?<\/p>\n

8 members down to play the Points this year. \u00a0Graeme W, Jim, Liz, John Burns, Luigi, Ewan, Marion & Bill. \u00a0Some played really well and amassed loads of points. Others didn’t. \u00a0After chucking down some 32 stones over 8 disciplines, the winner had racked up an impressive 45 points. \u00a0That was GW. \u00a0Runner up, only 1 point behind, was Ewan and 3rd was Luigi. \u00a0Unfortunately, Ewan cannot go forward to the club points challenge so Liz, only just in 4th place, will take up the spot. \u00a0Well done all round.<\/p>\n

Cowies Cowdenknowies Angels<\/strong><\/p>\n

Big, big, final of the Cowdenknowes cup played out between Graeme’s rink of Liz (subbing for the crocked Cammy), Margaret and Lesley Wilson and Ewan’s rink – Bobby, James & Bob Morris. \u00a0This was a drama-filled event with a five being scored in the 5th by Graeme, Ewan getting a really rotten pick-up on a crucial shot, a sublime draw by Ewan onto the pot lid, Graeme skittleing his sweepers as he dived out to assist, only to take a tumble and dive in the path of the running stone. \u00a0Phew! 7-4 at the end of the game to Graeme and his Angels. Wonderful and well done to both teams for a really entertaining game.<\/p>\n

A Fine Pair of Masters<\/strong><\/p>\n

The finals of the Masters took place 4th-7th Feb at Greenacres with Jim and Liz playing. \u00a0Obviously in separate Ladies and Gents competitions. Jim playing in Keith Prentice’s rink won through to the finals from the qualifiers earlier in the year. \u00a0In these finals they won all 5 of their group matches but lost out in the semi’s to Graeme Adam’s rink. \u00a0Funnily enough, they had defeated Graeme at the qualifier stage but this time, the pendulum swung the other way and Graeme went on to lift the title later in the final. \u00a0Tough road. \u00a0Liz, playing in Margaret Robertson’s rink, qualified from their group with 3 wins from 5 games, won their semi but lost the final to the other Margaret Robertson rink from Hamilton. \u00a0She came away with a silver medal though to go with last years’ gold and that is a great feat. \u00a0Congratulations to both for that performance.<\/p>\n

Directors<\/strong><\/p>\n

Naebody left on the board by the time the finals were played. \u00a0John Stevenson, Bill, Luigi, Graeme Cowe and Luigi won their first round tie against Graeme Wilson, Willie Pate and a couple of other diverse talents from elsewhere. \u00a0They \u00a0were then shaded out by James Stark’s rink in a replay of last years final – except they took their revenge this time around. \u00a0James had beaten Ewan, Wendy, Marion & Bobby in the first round dropping them into the low road. There, in the second round, they met \u00a0Graeme Wilson. \u00a0What a script for getting rid of Earlston Teams. \u00a0GW won this round but came up short against Colin Martin in the next game. \u00a0Next item of business then….<\/p>\n

League Lost \u00a0and Found<\/strong><\/p>\n

It seemed a sad thing with the league campaign grinding to a halt this year against those buffers that are Glendale. \u00a0Almost the same team that shot the Hog from under us managed to shade the last league game. \u00a0It was one we really needed to win and we didn’t think there was any realistic scenario where we could \u00a0make the page play-offs. \u00a0Ho Hum! \u00a0BUT WHAT’s THIS? \u00a0Late News is it really was possible and we have almost magically, made the play-offs. \u00a0Thank You Jed. \u00a0Watch this space for the final, finals news..finally. \u00a0Really.<\/p>\n

Pulled up short in the Hogg<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Harry Hogg fizzled out for our curlers Graeme Wilson, Bill, Graeme Cowe and Ewan when they came in a close second in their semi final against Glendale. \u00a0It all came down to the last stone but it was a fairly straight forward tap out for a two shot win. \u00a0The upside is, Glendale won the final.<\/p>\n

USA! USA!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wee notice to say that Bill has been selected to head off on the tour to USA in January 2017. In a party of 20 curlers, he’ll be off with fellow Borderer, John Hodge from Duns club for 3 weeks. \u00a0Not much else is known at this time.<\/p>\n

Club Bonspiel<\/strong><\/p>\n

I know, I know. \u00a0Ewan wins again. \u00a0I’m running out of Pate links and allliterations.<\/p>\n

Anyhoo. \u00a0Club Bonspiel time again and after a super Rhymers Reel where everybody met everybody and everybody had a grand time – except, maybe, Richard’s crew, a winner emerged. \u00a0Ewan’s team of Luigi, Anita Craig and Tracy Ross managed to win 6 of the 7 ends amassing 7 shots. \u00a0The Craig family did well in the prizes with Jock in the Runners-up rink skipped by Stuart Craig (no relation, he says), James Morison and Soph Irvine. \u00a0They scored 5 shots with 5 ends won. \u00a0A soup and sandwiches meal and a bit of entertainment of Irish bingo and ‘Heads or Tails’, rounded off the event nicely. \u00a0Well done to Mr Pres for all the organisation and prizes and the slide show of old photos. Crikey! Didn’t we look odd back then.<\/p>\n

Pate Success<\/strong><\/p>\n

I know, I know. \u00a0What’s so surprising about Ewan winning a game but that’s not the point here. \u00a0This was the Inter-Province match with Midlothian, held this year, at Murrayfield. \u00a0Jim, Wendy, Marion and Ewan won their match against club ’37′(apparently named after a pub in Rose street – they sound a sociable lot). \u00a0It seems that was a rarity in the competition with all but two Border clubs suffering a defeat so well done to Jim and his Earlston all-stars for keeping our end up.<\/p>\n

Mair Pairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

BIR Open Pairs, Ladies version, \u00a0saw Marion and Wendy win the Low Road final.\u00a0 After a sticky start they got into their stride and\u00a0 beat Liz Martin and Fiona Hodge 5-3.\u00a0 Lynsey was also competing but succumbed to our winning pair in the semi’s.\u00a0 Well done tho.<\/p>\n

Seniors Qualifiers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Big congratulations to John Stevenson, Bill, Graeme Cowe and Luigi who found success in the qualifiers for the Scottish Seniors held in Ayr over the weekend. \u00a0Winning 3 of their 4 games, they managed to gain that second place spot in their section and will now play in the national competition at Hamilton on 25th Feb. \u00a0Super result. Sadly, Jim and Bobby were in the same section and were one of the casualties. Mention too for John Burns who was chief umpire!!! \u00a0Great showing from the club.<\/p>\n

Spout, handle, lid of metal…..<\/strong><\/p>\n

………we just bagged the Tweedmouth Kettle.\u00a0 Or, OR<\/strong>….\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 “It was 20 years ago today. Sgt Pepper told the club to play…..\u00a0 Ach , make up your own playlist.<\/p>\n

Great performance from our two kettle teams in lifting this much-cherished trophy and renewing our periodic custody over the past 20 years.\u00a0 Congrats to Graeme Wilson, Marion, Wullie and Sheena and Ewan’s Wendy, Lyndsey and Liz. \u00a0On the first day, both teams overcame Greenlaw rinks posting quite convincing 6-4 \u00a0and 14-6 scores. Tough semi finals were against Foulden but both again, won their games. Finally, in the final against Ayton Castle, they excelled with both teams winning. \u00a0Fantastic getting hold of the old kettle again.<\/p>\n

Quizspiel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just a short note to say we didn’t win. \u00a0Jim, Liz, John Burns and Russet were our sole entry (unless of course you know different) and they found that the reality TV round was really not their thing. They came in third, two points only, behind the winner, but there were another 4 teams in equal 2nd. \u00a0Phew. \u00a0Must have been a tough gig.<\/p>\n

Border Bonspiel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Border Bonspiel time again and we were off to a great start. \u00a0First to go against Lauder were Bill, Ewan, Graeme Cowe and Cammy. \u00a0They set off at a fair lick amassing triplets, twins and big singles and kept Lauder at bay. End of the game came with a scoreline of 13-4. \u00a0The others had a tougher time though with Graeme Wilson’s rink of Marion, John Burns and Gerry shading a 5-4 scoreline against Foulden. \u00a0Bringing up the rear was Jim, Wendy, Bobby & Liz who held Kelso to a 8-8 draw (dont know who held who here but HoooA!) \u00a0In all, Roxburgh had racked up all the points they needed to win the day.<\/p>\n

Strictly District-y Medal<\/strong><\/p>\n

On a very snowy, yes snowy, Friday afternoon, we hosted the district medal game against Corstorphine Ladies. \u00a0They travelled down to Kelso \u00a0with a Livingston team who were similarly set to DM Duns club. \u00a0As I said, t’was a wintery day and with a bit of concern as to how the weather might develop, we set to. \u00a0Our rink of Jim, Bill, Graeme Wilson and Liz managed to get away to a good start as the visitors took a bit of time to get the measure of the ice. \u00a0Fortunately we managed to bag a four early on and kept the pressure on to see the game out with a fair margin. \u00a0 8-2, I think it ended. \u00a0But it didn’t end there, ’cause the weather had abated and we were able to enjoy a meal together. \u00a0Great company and a fine afternoon.<\/p>\n

2 Swans a-winning<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes. Yes. \u00a0On the seventh sleep ‘fore Christmas, we saw success in both the ladies and the gents Swan competitions. \u00a0Hedging our bets in the ladies, we had Liz and Wendy in opposing teams. Liz in Glynnis Lauder’s team and Wendy with Margaret Robertson. \u00a0It was a super-tough game taken to an extra end and Wendy’s team were the eventual winners.<\/p>\n

The gents’ game between John Stevenson and Oliver Stark was equally as tough. \u00a0Also taken to an extra end, John’s rink of Bill, Luigi and Gary Craig won the day. \u00a0Some justice there ’cause Oliver’s army saw off Jim and Bobby earlier in the competition. Both finals apparently highly entertaining and special Christmas congratulations to all winners.<\/p>\n

Pairs…Peachy<\/strong><\/p>\n

After winning through\u00a0a couple of tight semi-finals, Ewan & Cam and Bill & Robert took to the ice to settle the high road.\u00a0 On this occasion, the non-Pate pair took the lead with a 3 and kept the upper hand over the Pate pair to see things through.\u00a0 The low road saw the two Graeme’s battling it out.\u00a0 GW with Sheena slugged out a hard game against GC and George Balfour.\u00a0 The GW\/SB pairing made it too difficult in the final end and came away with the plate –\u00a0Not before we all managed to scoff the mince pies and chocolatey treats supplied by Mr Pres. though.\u00a0 Congratulations to both winning pairs and many thanks to GW\u00a0for the hospitality.<\/p>\n

Gala Cuppers Scuppered<\/strong><\/p>\n

2nd round was as good as it got for the cup challengers this year. \u00a0After a good win over Greenlaw, Bill, Graeme, Lesley and Sheena had a tough day out against St.Boswells starting off by conceding a 5. \u00a0oops! \u00a0It was pulled back however and up to the last shots a draw was possible. \u00a0Told you it was as good as it got. \u00a0T’other team – Jim, Wendy, Bobby & Liz lost out to Foulden.<\/p>\n

Garth Brooks (Har! Har!)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have to sing the praises of our one and only Mr Loooweegie Maaaasssaaari for lifting the \u00a0Ralphie last week (Not a euphemism). \u00a0Playing in Gary Craig’s rink, they managed to hold a tune long enough to see off Colin Martin – quite convincingly, it seems, in the final. \u00a0Is that some kind of record?<\/p>\n

The League<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a tough league campaign, Graeme Cowe’s rink of Phil, Margaret and Julie emerged as winners. \u00a0Having lost only one game on the way, they kept their nerve and kept their enviable record. \u00a0Congratulations to the foursome. \u00a0Well done.<\/p>\n

BIR Mixed Invitation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congratulations to Jim, Wendy, Bobby & Liz in winning the mixed invitation over the past weekend. \u00a0With 16 teams playing in two sections, they came top of their group and in the final, played a Russian led team reigning victorious. \u00a0This was a high quality field in the competition this year so, really, a pretty good result.<\/p>\n

Indoor Grand Match<\/strong><\/p>\n

Played on Saturday 24 October it was billed as the battle of North of Scotland versus South. \u00a0We had three teams entered:<\/p>\n

Jim, Liz, Ewan & Russet played in a home game against Crieff & Auchtertyre where the theme of the day was the Borders Raailway. \u00a0With fat controllers a-plenty, they had a clear run to the terminus and posted an 11-6 win.<\/p>\n

Bill, Sheena, Lynsey & John Burns were away at Perth, against Breadalbane Glendochart. Super-slick ice here and our lot carried off the touch of tartan look with some aplomb. \u00a0Ahead from the start, they slipped a bit after the racking of brushes and interlude refreshment with losing a three in end 5. \u00a0Order quickly restored saw a final score of \u00a0 7-4.<\/p>\n

Graeme Wilson, Phil, Gerry & James Played in the final rounds at Forfar against Stirling Virtual 2. \u00a0 With Gerry playing his fourth consecutive indoor grand match, and James playing his first game away from Kelso (ever!) it was always going to be a memorable day out! \u00a0 The Virtuals played the game in the true spirit of Curling (despite having only played for less than two years) but struggled with the changing ice conditions resulting in a 16-3 win in favour of Earlston. Our boys struggled a bit themselves having to take the slightly longer way home, as someone very inconsiderately decided to shut the Forth Road bridge on the evening of the Grand Match \u2013 obviously not a Curler in charge!<\/p>\n

Overall, South were winners with a score of \u00a02154 shots to 1928.<\/p>\n

Ladies Opening Bonspiel<\/strong><\/p>\n

First out the blocks recording success this season was Sheena playing in Fiona Turnbull’s rink. Along with Lucy Tile and Ann Redpath, they won their match in fine style against Judith Dixon’s rink in a full, four sheet session. \u00a0Marion and Julie were runners up and other Earlston players competing were Lesley Cowe, Russet and Liz. Well done. \u00a0A fine start.<\/p>\n

A Sociable Start<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Sociable Start was scheduled and out of that, held (leaving scued – make of that what you will). \u00a0Couldn’t believe a nicely rounded 16 members turned out to get into the groove making a couple of mini games on the two sheets ideal. \u00a0It could’ve almost been planned. \u00a0As it turns out, there were winners of each game but I’m bound by the sociable code not to record them. \u00a0A nice bit of fun and we duly repaired to the bar to round off the night and take in the new decor.<\/p>\n

In the words of Mr President opening up the night, welcome to the new season. \u00a0We hope you all enjoy your curling and a bit of success. \u00a0Although not against me.<\/p>\n

General Meeting<\/b><\/p>\n

The pre-season General Meeting is to be held on Tuesday 1st September, hopefully in the Black Bull (TBC). Do come along and get your annual curling enthusiasm shot. Election of skips too from a large list of nominees. Why would you want to stay at home?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Slip Sliding away The Slides of March brought the season to a close for the club with a game that really mattered. \u00a0A tight wee league with John Stevenson sitting in second place and Graeme Cowe in\u00a0fourth. \u00a0That all turned upside down by the end of the game. \u00a0Graeme’s rink of Luigi, Gerry and Tracey […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=960"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/960\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/network.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org\/earlston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}