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.