League 2021-22

Well, that's it for another week - and indeed for this season! It seems no time since we took to the ice for the start of another season not knowing what might be in store in terms of Covid restrictions but thankfully here we are having completed all our games and hopefully everyone has enjoyed being back curling on Wednesday evenings.

By pleasant coincidence the final night was also to be the deciding one for the league and although Ed held the advantage he was up against his only challenger but it was to be a tall order for David to overtake Ed. Not only did David have to win but he needed to do so by 5 shots. Ultimately Ed prevailed maintaining his unbeaten run and thus emerging a worthy winner of the league. Commiserations to David but credit is due for ensuring that the title was not decided until the final series of games. Congratulations to Ed's rink of Neil Beattie, Paul Williams and Shirley Scott.

The game which attracted everyone's attention was obviously that involving Ed and David - and what an interesting game it was! After a relatively quiet beginning with David scoring 1 at the 1st end and Ed then getting a single at the next and 2 at the 3rd the game exploded and caught the attention of all the other games when David scored 6 at the 4th end to lead by 7-3. Could there be a dramatic twist to the league on the closing night? Ed's response was immediate. 3 shots in end 5 plus another 4 at the 6th and he was ahead by 10-4. He completed his victory by scoring another 2 shots in the last end to run out the winner by 12-7. A brief moment of optimism for David but by remaining unbeaten through all his games Ed's rink are worthy winners of the league. Neither Alex nor Charlie could catch Ed or David but 3rd place was at stake. Alex was playing Jim who has had a mixed season but one may as well save the best to the last. Despite losing 3 at the first end Jim took control thereafter and with 2 ends to play he had established a lead of 4 shots. Singles were exchanged in those final 2 ends but Jim was a delighted winner by 8-4. Would this defeat mean that Alex would lose out on 3rd place to Charlie who was playing Alan McK? In that game Alan's opening score of 3 was promptly matched by Charlie in the next end but steady curling by Alan saw him build up a lead of 9-3 after 6 ends. It was then a case of cautious play and not letting Charlie get any foothold. Singles were happily conceded at each of the last 2 ends leaving Alan a satisfied victor by 9-5. In so doing Charlie's hopes of 3rd had also been dashed so that despite his own defeat Alex managed to hold on to 3rd place. The one remaining game was a basement battle between the other Alans, Mitchell and Richmond. It has been a trying season for both skips (also their first in that role) but after a first win last week for Alan R could he repeat the feat this week? In the end honours went indeed to Alan R. Each rink won 4 ends but the difference was that whereas Alan M only won his with single shot scores Alan R managed to achieve a couple of 2s and a 3 with the result that victory went to Alan R by 8-4. Unfortunately this week Alan M was unable to put in one of his last end heroics to make life distinctly uncomfortable for his opponent!

So that is it. Another season over and as already mentioned I hope everyone has enjoyed their curling. It was good to welcome new members David Graham and Ian Robertson, and David has certainly been able to enjoy considerable ice time. Unfortunately both at the start of the season and then during it we lost some members due to injury or other health issues but on the whole the turnout of members was excellent and hopefully next season we shall be able to welcome back those members who had to miss all or part of this year. Whilst we were absolutely delighted to welcome the above new members this season more new members will always be very welcome and as those on the reserves list know you are still likely to get quite a few curling opportunities during the season so please bring forward to Secretary Liz the names of anyone who might be interested in joining.

Meantime we look forward to the Pairs competition next Wednesday and then to the Prizegiving Dinner and Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 16 March at the Ice Rink to which I hope most will be able to attend. All that remains for me now is to wish everyone a good (and healthy) spring and summer.