Merry Xmas and a Good New Year

 

Hostilities will resume on 5-1-25

The 4 Horsemen of the Apocolypse

 

Another Year nearly over must mean the infamous Aberlady Xmas Bonspiel.  This years theme was the "Wild West".

Being competed for two sheets away from the final of the "Crabbie Trophy" meant that Graeme in his celtic/rangers outfit was unusually restrained with his VERY LOUD "vuvuzela" .  This years winner of the best costume (or supplies) went to Jillian for providing her team with their horses (which looked positively demented when attached to their brooms and sweeping action applied!).

There was the usual amount of confusion / befuddlement / arguments while interpreting the rules (and a few rules and changes being applied on the fly) but the event was enjoyed by all.  It was particularly good to see so many of our new members in attendance including some returnees from last season.  We hope the mental scarring will heal soon.  It was also very gratifying to see John Niven return as a spectator and kindly supply the first round of drinks.

Quote of the Day/Season goes to Mike Wood with "I didn't expect Julia to strike"  - It closely edged Julia's comment of "I think I will strike"

The afternoon was rounded off with an enjoyable Xmas dinner.

All events must produce a winner and this year it went to the aforementioned 4 Horsepersons, namely Julia, John G, Gillian and Susanne.  Sorry there no pies (or out of date chocolates) on this one but they each got to make off with the now traditional re-cycled Salvers.

Welcome

 New Stones Challenge.

Our challengers from the New Stones, Iona Hill, Simon Rice, Lesley Paterson and Gillian (with a G) Robertson being mostly first season curlers played extremely well.  None of them having any skipping experience, they were helped with the patience and generosity of Daniel, in the head and Graeme acting as 'floating coach' (Very fortunately NOT in his 'Seaside' Bonspiel costume)

The eventual score was a sporting 4 - 4 peel but most importantly the new stoners enjoyed themselves and have agreed to be added to our reserves list.  (Simon has also agreed to take part in the Xmas Bonspiel).

Province Pairs

A hearty well done to 'Team David' Wyllie & McKay in the Province Pairs Championship.

They battled through their first round game with a 6 - 3 win which paired them up with past winners and very experienced Athelstaneford pairing of Johnny Shedden and Frank Ross.  They played well and managed to peel the game 3 - 3 putting them through to the High Road Final.

In that game, they faced, Athelstaneford (again).  This time they fell just short and were beaten 3 - 1.  A very creditable effort and beating a lot of very good teams on the way.

Peter Allen Update

Congratulations again to Team Peart who have won the Trophy Competition with a 100% win record.

With a win for Team Maguire/Wood, on paper, they can still win the Shield but will require to win BOTH their games in the Shots Competition, with Daniel's squad losing both.

Similarly, the Maguire/Wood squad can still wrest the wooden spoon from Team Mackey, with similar results.

Will the be season over by the end of November ?

 Congratulations to Team Peart.  Aided by Adam Hicks (despite the bad weather), John Good and Sheena Munro, Daniel has not only won the Trophy Competition, undefeated, but is now well on his way to lifting the Peter Allen Shield.

Should the Maguire/Wood squad not prevail over Team Mackey in the final Trophy game, Daniel will have secured enough points to sit the rest of the season out as overall club champion.

Trophy @ 50%

Last night saw the end of the first round of the Trophy Competition.  It also saw a somewhat simple victory for our promoted skip over the combined 'old hands' of Maguire/Wood.

This leaves Team Peart undefeated.  Maguire/Wood are one game off the pace and Team Mackey with some work to do.

It is still all to play for as any team could still win although with the Peart squad playing this well it could be difficult.

WELCOME

 A Big Warm Welcome to not one but two new reserves

Imogen Barr joins us from Athelstaneford and

Joanna Hull joins us from the New Stones.

Also congratulations to Zach who has a recent baby which is keeping him away from Murrayfield until December.

The Gauntlet

 Congratulations to Julia Mackey, John McOmish, John Good and Gavin Morton who took on, and defeated Athelstaneford in the inaugural East Lothian Gauntlet game.

It is now up to us to challenge another East Lothian club within the next four weeks.

Pie Pie Baby Pie Pie.

The first Pie Winners are Team Wood/Maguire (minus the Wood part) who played our Opening Bonspiel (Knockout!) three handed.

In their first game they scored a comfortable, if surprising, victory against our President's quartette, managing to win all four ends for a 9 - 0 victory.

Game two saw Team Julia taking on the Peart squad in a tight match that came down to the last end.  Team Peart eventually took a two to win 3 - 2.

The final game would therefore determine the victors.  Whichever team won would take the spoils.  It was another tight game with only single shots determining each end.  The Maguire Trio ending up 3 -1 winners and looking forward to their steak pies.

Congratulations to Graeme Maguire, David Wyllie and Gavin Morton.

And we are off.......

Our first game pitted Team Julia up with the Peart Quartet.

It was definitely a game of two halves.  After four ends Julia's rink, with some excellent early season form from John McOmish had it well under control with a 6 - 1 lead.  Daniel however was seeking to make the score more respectable, and succeeded, taking the remaining three ends to have a 7 - 6 lead.  Coming in under the wire an eighth end was started and the leads and seconds from both teams seemed determined block the house.  With only the skips stoned remaining Daniel was lying 1 but leaving Julia a chance (slim) to raise.  She succeeded with the final stone of the game, but not far enough.

Final score Daniel 8, Julia 6. 

Pre-season news and VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The syllabus has been updated to 19-9-24 version - 

The changes are to add details of the draws and dates for External Competitions.

 

Matters Arising

• The "Name" for the new club bank account is "Aberlady Curling Club" and the account number ends 0085
• The Province has started a new inter club challenge (The Gauntlet).  The competition is aimed largely at ordinary club members.  We have been challenged by Athelstaneford on Sunday 20-10-24 at 14.30.  We require 4 club members who want to play.  Please let us know if you want to play. 
• East Lothian Pairs is on Saturday 30-11-24 from 14.30.  This will consist of 2 games over two sessions with 'soup and sandwiches' between.  Our first game is against Yester.  We need 2 club members.  Please let  us know if you want to play.

Finally, there are new caterers at Murayfield this season.  We are hearing good things about them and hopefully they will be well supported.

Syllabus Correction

 Please note that the inside syllabus has been corrected to show the game on 2 Dec as a Monday, not Wednesday as previously shown.

The date indicated on the latest version (bottom left) should be 14-8-24

Season 24/25

The final touches are being put in place and in the next few days the New Season Packs should be getting issued by email.

In the meantime, the website has been getting updated and for those of you that cant wait, the syllabus is available on the "Fixtures Tab", above. 

We also have great pleasure in welcoming our 'new members' who have upgraded from our wonderful New Stone Reserves from last season, Zach Thompson and Gavin Morton.  Louise Davidson is also joining our ranks of Reserve Players as is Jeff Lewis.  Hopefully they will be joined by more recruits, following this seasons New Stones Challenge Game on Wed 2nd December.

Daniel Peart steps up as a 'Trophy' Skip (not sure that reads too well but .....) and Adam Hicks will lead a rink in the Thirds Competition (He got plenty experience covering for 'old broken neck' last year)

IMPORTANT NOTE :- The club has a new bank account - details of which will be in the New Season Pack and on the syllabus.   This has come about as we try to replace 'back of an envelope' Mike Woods as our long term Treasurer.  Mike will remain in post for the 24/25 season but will be shadowed by Adam "lets drag the club into the 19th century" Hicks.

Finally, we are adding a new competition to our syllabus, which will hopefully be made up of new recruits and will be played as a four rink round robin to finish our year off.

Enjoy the remains of your summer, the curling season is nearly here.

President v Vice President and AGM

Despite being restricted to one sheet, all be it with 9 people playing, it was a high scoring and high quality game played on fast and swingy ice.  With David playing precision weight and Julia striking whenever the opportunity arose (and sometimes when it didn't), the protagonists traded twos and threes leaving the game tied after six ends.  El Presidento Julia then took a 2 in the seventh but in the spirit of the game played quickly enough for an eighth end.  Unfortunately the cheering crowds were not treated to a 'Draw the Shot' finish and the President took the game by 10 - 7.

In a departure to normal, it was then upstairs for food.  The usual splendid fare was offered and the AGM was very convivially held during the tray bake and coffee part of the proceedings.

The president did her best to keep control and eventually managed to bring the meeting to a conclusion inside her half hour time frame.

Although there were no changes to the committee for next season, our treasurer, Mike Wood has informed us that he will be stepping down after Season 24/25.  If anyone wishes to volunteer Mike will be happy to be shadowed next year for a smooth transition.

Leagues Complete

The final game in the Shots and Peter Allan were played out between Team Julia and Team Maguire (led by an inspired Adam Hicks).  The result was a narrow win for Miss President which ensured her of the last pies for the season, while there was again no change to the standings for the Peter Allan Shield.  Thus ensuring successful defenses of both trophies.

So it is Congratulations to Julia Mackey, Daniel Peart, Mike Wood and the Jillian Bradfield/Sheena Munro combine for winning the Shots Trophy.  (This also means that Julia and Daniel are our only 'double pie' winners !)

It is also Congratulations to Graeme Maguire, David Wyllie, Adam Hicks and Pam Clark for lifting the Peter Allan Shield.

Finally, also thanks to Julia and Graeme, who, out of our 7 skips, were the only ones that managed to average more than 7 ends per game (7.28 for the record)

The Thirds Showdown

As previously posted it was a tight final and deciding game between the Wyllie and McOmish Teams with
the leaders, The Peart Squad, leading in the clubhouse.

With Lead John Good and Third, Adam Hicks playing on other sheets, Team Wyllie was bolstered with Eilidh Troup (University) and  Elaine McDiarmid, who both played exceptionally well.  It seems unfair to single them out, as all eight players upped their games for a high quality game.

It became apparent quickly that, needing at least a 6 end victory, that the McOmish Team would not secure 'The Pies' when they lost the first three ends.  However they struck back for the game by taking a 5 and the lead in the fourth end.  Consecutive 2's in the next two ends, with the hammer saw the Pies Destination swinging back and forth.  Going in to the final end John McOmish was 1 shot up, with David Wyllie needing a 'peel' (ie 1 shot) with the hammer to take the Title.  With John playing a raise onto the button with his last stone David was left with a very difficult final shot and was not far away from getting it.  The final score of the game was 8 - 6 to John McOmish.

That left all three teams on two wins and two losses.  The winners based on Ends were Daniel Peart, Dale Callander, Rosie Clark and Julia Mackey. 

The other two teams were left on thirteen ends each and had to be separated by 'Shots Up' with the runners up spot going to Team McOmish.

Commiserations to Team Wyllie who were within two shots of taking the crown and ended up after a VERY close league in third spot.

Thirds League - progress

The interesting result from the Peart v Wyllie game  means that with one game to play, theoretically any of the three rinks could still taste pie at the end of the season.

The leader, in the clubhouse (behind the glass?), is the Peart squad.  The final game is between David Wyllie and John McOmish.  If Team Wyllie win or peel, they win !  The McOmish  route to pie is a bit more complicated.  They need to win (which would likely demote Team Wyllie to the wooden spoon) and take at least SIX ends and a SEVEN shot winning margin (or just win SEVEN ends). 

May the force be with both teams.

Housekeeping - Dinner & Shots Competition

Our annual dinner & Prizegiving (which all steak pie winners Will want to attend - Julia, should we auction any pies unclaimed on the night - LoL) is provisionally on :-

Thursday 25th April - Arrival 6 for 6.30 - at Howies, Waterloo Place, EDINBURGH.

All members including reserves and partners are welcome to attend a very social evening.

Julia will circulate more details soon..

Shots Competition will commence 22 Feb 2024, 

Zach from our group of New Stone Reserves will be playing as Team iv on the syllabus and above.  The other teams will be i previously A,  ii previously B and iii previously C.  The competition is a Shots Competition, so the Team with the best Shots Up record will win.  The league will be a single round robin.  NB. Wins etc for teams i - iii will count for the Peter Allen Shield.

Points

With a depleted field of only 4 taking to the ice, it was a 'relaxed' Points game.

Julia was assured of Best Lady and as defending ladies champion played second to Graeme, the defending champion played first.  The ice was very stiff, with only four players seeing some 'strike' stones barely being back ring and plenty of draw and guarding shots being hogged.  Never the less, it was the same for everyone.

At the half way mark, Dave Wyllie was in a narrow 2 point lead from Dale, with Julia and Graeme lagging and separated by only 1 point.  Graeme wins the consistency prize for scoring the same in the final four exercises as in the first half but that was still only good enough to win the Wooden Spoon, a spectacular fall for last years winner.  Dale faded but still managed to secure 3rd with Julia the only player to score more in her last four exercises than in her first five.  (Note to all other skips, she played the difficult convoluted shots better than she dis her strikes, draws and guards).  Meanwhile David continued to plug away and end the session with a commanding win by 6 points.

Stats show that only Julia and Dale had any Zero scoring exercises while Graeme joined them with a run of five consecutive no scores.  No-one score an 8 point exercise, although Dave did score two 7 point exercises.  

FINALLY.  It should be noted that Julia incorrectly added up the scores ! (Just in case you are looking for an accountant)

CONGRATULATIONS to our Vice President and President for taking the spoils.

Waldie Griffiths and Chanty News

 

The Province defense of The Waldie Griffiths this year will be against Angus Province will again be held over two sessions.  The first will be held at Murrayfield on Sat 9-3-24 @ 15.00 and the second will be held at Forfar on Sat 23-3-24 @ 11.30.  Two rinks will play in each game and the Rinks will be selected by Morgan Nicoll.

The Chanty will NOT be held this season as Border Province have been unable to obtain the appropriate ice and facilities.

RCCC Medal v Earlston

I think that about sums it all up !

But fun was had by the three Graeme's and others.

 

Thirds - at half way mark !

2024 hostilities have commenced with a Thirds game between teams McOmish and Wyllie.  It was a close run affair with a skips occasionally electing  NOT to throw their final stones !  The final score was  7 - 6 to Team Wyllie.

At the half way mark the Peart squad lead the way after their two wins, they also have advantage of being 'ends' in hand too.  One more good win could see Daniel secure the crown.  The Wyllie squad will not however give up, so Daniel needs to continue looking in his rear view mirror.  Its not yet all over for the McO Rink, who although they have lost both of their games, both being close run affairs, but they need to get their house in order soon.

Game on.