Christmas Bonspiel

Photos can be found on our FlickR site - HERE  - or follow the link top right for more club photos.

From careful examination of the photos, it looks like everyone had a fun afternoon on the ice.  Even Graeme's 'Rules' only seem to have caused the minimum of confusion.
The fancy dress prize was destined for Lindsey (appearing as Jessie from Toy Story) until I heard that it was a 'hired' costume and no matter how good it was I feel that the prize should go to 'Oor Pres' Sheena (as Eyore).  I really do wish that I had seen her try to sweep a stone in that outfit.
The dress and the 'Rules' must have really confused the other curlers !

The Bonspiel was won, subject to receipt of the score cards by Sandy's Team (insert names here!).

After the game most players headed upstairs for a Christmas Dinner and a few more laughs.

Maybe next year the Convenor will be able to make it !!!

The Trophy Conclusion

On 23 November Sandy, playing with Dale and Rosie against John G, Morgan, Dave Wyllie and Sheena won the Club Trophy.

 

The teams were even on three shots each after the sixth end. Sandy's last stone, a takeout, stopped in full view. John's response drew more than planned, taking the target stone out but rolling out itself.

Result: Sandy with 6 shots and John with 3.

 

J

East Lothian Province Competitions

The draws for ALL the East Lothian Province competitions are now up on the 'Fixtures' tab.

Good Luck.

Trophy Competition

The Trophy Competition got underway last night.  Mike was delayed in the time warp that is generally called Dundee and so his rink was skipped by Morgan for the first 4 ends against his son.
In the end the defending champion Mike went down to a 10 - 4 defeat to leave the youngster, Sandy in an early lead and the man to beat.

Additions and Corrections

Please note the following additions and/or corrections to our playing roster and contact numbers.
This information can be found on the 'Fixture' tab, above:-
Additions and Corrections
RESERVE MEMBERS
Addition - Josh Kellock - 07840 400 321
Correction - John Niven - 07807 320 835
Correction - Stan Howard (home) - 0131 445 2196

Knockout End

Congratulations to John Good's team, who in his absence, won the Knockout last night in a tight game that saw father pitted against son and mother against daughter..
John's rink, skipped by Morgan, ably assisted by Dave Wyllie, Sheena Munro and Josh Kellock took on the strong team of Sandy, Dale, Karen and Rosie in what appears to have been a tight game.  Any loose shot by Morgan's (John's) team was promptly taken out by Sandy and his squad.
Despite Sandy trying to argue for the second round in a row that the result should be on ends (which he won 4 ends to 3) the results show that Morgan was the victor with a score line of 7 shots to 6.

Congratulations again to the winners and the tight games in the competition would lead us to believe that it could be a tightly fought season.

Knockout Start

Last night saw the start of the Aberlady season, with the first round of the traditional knockout competition.  It produced two very different games.  Graeme struggled with his luck (and some may say skill) against John and he ended up on the end of a big defeat.  It must be added that John played very well and even tricky last stones facing three or more against him were excellently executed.
On the other sheet, New(ish) boy Sandy was in a scrap against Mike. This resulted in numerous requests by both skips to know what would happen in the event of a peeled game.  No sympathy was given from the and they were resolutely told that it would be a draw shot challenge.
With Sandy being up going onto the last end he declared that his tactics would be to 'hit everything' (no surprise there). This did not explain the wall of granite stopping both teams from drawing into the house.  Eventually one of the guards was popped up to just bite the front ring and a result was had.  Sandy took the game 6 shots to 4 and will play John Good in the final next week.
The evening was completed with a supper in the new look bar and everyone left satisfied that the new catering staff were up to scratch.

Roadworks at Murrayfield

PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO YOUR MEMBERS

Due to gas main work, the access from Corstorphine Road into Riversdale Crescent will be closed for about 8 weeks – please allow extra time for your journey into the rink.

Thanks

Debbie Kerr

Office Administrator

2015/2016 Season Starts Now

It is time to look out your kit and make sure that the moths have been kept away and that your shoes are clean.
The Aberlady Come & Try - Beginners session is on FRIDAY 25-09-15, starting at 5.30pm.
Its not to late for friends and neighbours to sign up, just let Sheena or myself know and we can add the names.
The first games are on Wednesday 30-09-15 at 5.30pm and are the first round of the knockout competition.  This involves most of the club and will give us a chance to find out how good Aaron is as a caterer.
Until then ...............

Season 15/16

There is now only 5 weeks (less depending on when you read this) until our new season gets underway under the eagle eyed leadership of Sheena.
The Syllabus (and your invoices) should be dropping through your letterbox soon, so keep your dog/cat away from the letterbox.
The website is currently undergoing its annual 'clean' but should be up and running again shortly with the new seasons information, so keep your eyes peeled.

So Long and Thanks for all the Fish (Pie)

The 2014/15 season was officially consigned to history last night with the final club outing.  This time to the Old Inn Aberlady for the annual dinner and prize giving.  It was nice to see so many members (and other halves) present in such fine and relaxed form.
John Smail captured some of it on film (or memory stuff) and this has now been added to out clubs Flickr site.
Enjoy the summer !!!

Its nearly all over

The final Shots match of the season saw Mike's team, headed by Dale slip into a 5 - 0 lead only to be pegged back by John G's  team, headed by Graeme to a final 5 - 5 scoreline.  This peeled result was ideal for both teams, leaving Mike Wood the winner of the Peter Allen Shield and the Shots Competition and John Good avoiding the wooden spoon.
Only the President v Vice President left to go.  This game will be followed by supper and our AGM.

Sandy - A Year in Review

With Sandy's first year as a skip now complete, we look back at his year.
A shaky start to the season saw him get bundled out of the Knockout in the first round and only managing one win in the Trophy Competition giving him a third place courtesy of the 'head to head' result against John.

Then followed a period of reflection, seeing him win with an excellent score, in the Points.

Some exuberant play with Graeme in the Thirds rejuvenated him (I like to think anyway) and he entered the last portion of the season meaning business.  An excellent run in the Shots competition sees him with a top two finish, which he could yet win and a guaranteed second or third in the Peter Allen Shield.

The next generation are here folks!

Competition Update

With one round of the Shots Competition still to play Mike has a useful but not an untouchable lead.  The Peter Allen Shield is another matter with Mike Wood having wrapped that one up, however the other teams are all tied on points and only a couple of ends separating them.  Game on, only Mike is safe!

Shots Competition / Peter Allen Shield

With a good win in the first game of the Shots Competition, Sandy takes an early lead.
Of course, she start of the Shots Competition also marks the re-commencement of the Peter Allen Shield.  Sandy's result catapults him from last to being our new leader!

Score Cards

Please note that ALL Score Cards (or information from the cards) must be returned to the match secretary within 7 days of the game being played.  It would be preferred if they were sent in asap as the website and results tables cannot be updated without the information.
Information required for all games:-
Final Scores,
Number of Ends won by each team
Full names of all players (for billing and record purposes)
Competition title and date of game.
It is the skips responsibility to ensure that this happens.

Individual Points

The masses assembled without the 'Points Convener' and participated in a fun but tightly fought competition.  Like the Scottish Football League there were clearly two class divisions with Raymond, Sandy and John G making up the premiership and the rest of us the lower divisions.

Last years winners were handicapped with Morgan having to play first (despite his false protestations that Sandy had won last year) and Lindsey having to wear her brothers 'spare' trousers. (Who carries spare curling trousers with them ???).  Lindsey was the only one that was able to rise above the challenge.

The ice proved tricky with a fall back at pace on one side of one sheet and it playing slower than normal.

It quickly developed into a three horse race with Sandy seeming to falter, only scoring a two on the sixth exercise (wick and curl in - so you can practice for next year Sandy!) and dropping three points behind joint leaders John and Raymond.  The next exercise, however saw the joint leaders fail to improve their scores, while Sandy took the lead for the first time, registering a four, to lead by one.   Raymond and John countered with a full house of 8 points in the final end, however Sandy also bagged a maximum and took the win, in his best ever score of 42.

In the second division only a single point ended up separating the next four players, including Lindsey, who retained her Ladies Championship.

 

Hostilities Resume

With the Christmas and New Year a distant past and George home from his annual journeys, the Thirds Competition has recommenced.  George, unusually playing as himself, and supported by Sheena Pauline and the dapper John Good, took a tight win and has now assured themselves of the championship.  Happy New Year George !