With this week’s disappointments for the Olympic Mixed Pairs illustrating just what a fickle mistress this game of curling is, the two rinks assembled with but one thought is mind – we really need some points! At this stage of the season, league leaders Team Morrison may not be unassailable but it does rather feel as though they have the championship wrapped up. But the remaining places are still very much up in the air. So battle commenced…..
It was pleasing to see John Mac back on the ice again and, with stalwarts Billy and Fiona, his rink was completed by Ken who was substituting for the temporarily absent Rob. Alice was skipping team D, ably backed up by third Kay, second John W and lead Steve.
For much of the game, it was a relatively undramatic, with no big scores, no trick shots and no big upsets. Team Kinnaird looked the stronger rink with well-placed stones from all concerned which Team MacConnachie were unable to better. Two points in the first and another two in the second put Team Kinnaird in a strong position.
However, the tide turned in Team MacConnachie’s favour for the next two ends with some notable stones from Billy helping seal wins in the third and fourth, albeit by only a single for each end.
So going into the fifth it was 4-2 to Team Kinnaird and this was where things started to become a bit more eventful. It looked as Team MacConnachie’s chances were fading. John Mac was unable to engineer the shifting of well-placed stones and the end went to Alice for a strong three.
But then did Team Kinnaird take their foot of the gas? Did complacency set in? Or did Team MacConnachie get serious. Whatever, John Mac’s rink was lying three by the last stone. However, possibly overcome by the excitement of it all, as John launched his stone he took a tumble on the ice. It might not have been too bad were it not for him landing heavily on his dodgy knee. Play had been slow and the bell went just after this had taken place. Another end could have rightfully been played but John was sadly in no state to take any further part in proceedings. Would Team MacConnachie have been able to continue their fight back? We shall never know as the game was halted after six ends with a 7-5 advantage to Team Kinnaird.
John W.
Holyrood Curling Club 