After the win on their last outing Team A were in a positive mood. The ‘Granny’ was off and their heads were up. This time out they were up against the legendary Deemo and his crack team of Ken, Billy (the Brush) and student Steve. Rumours before the start were that Steve is enjoying being a student a little too much and was suffering from a sore back which he claimed was due to a recent hockey match (the jury was out on that one).
After losing the toss Team B sent the first stone down the sheet – as in recent games the ice proved to be very keen. The leads from both teams were struggling to find their weight. It was the same for the seconds. Misses were measured in microns – not even a ‘fag paper’ would have filled the gap. Deemo of course was deadly and forced Auld to play some very difficult shots just to stay in touch.
Team A managed to keep a stone in the house – Deemo took it out. Last stone and Auld sneaked inside Deemo to count one. A good start.
Second end: Team A suffered the wrath of Team B as they were allowed to build up stones which Team A failed to remove. Again the ice was difficult for Team A to judge, being keen with little swing until slowing. Critical shots were missed again by microns – it really couldn’t be any closer and Team B took full advantage to win the end by four.
Team A focussed and managed to concede only one stone in end three.
The fourth end saw a change of fortunes. Steve was not sweeping quite as hard, that back injury starting to influence, and Billy the Brush (sporting another custom T-shirt) was working extra hard. He must have been getting inspired by Olympian Lammy. The end built up in team A’s favour and not even the experience and skill of Deemo could stop a four point win for ‘A’.
The match was now level and once again team A had their heads up.
End five saw another two point win for ‘A’. Now they just had to hold on to that two point lead.
End six: Ouch! Deemo squeezed one back. Stunning shot play and sweeping from ‘B’ and a few unlucky breaks from ‘A’ reduced the lead to one.
The clock was counting down with less than seven minutes before the end bell. Team ‘A’ had to hold on. Could they? They had the last stone – was this part of their strategy?
Early stones were cleared – the house was a very lonely place. A guard or two remained front of house. The ticking clock declared that this was the last end. Stones five and six delivered from both teams. A few stones were touching front of house near the centre line but still the main body of the house empty. The left wing of house was partially blocked; the right wing open. It looked like the end result was going to be down to the last stones thrown.
Deemo found a way in. Auld followed and despite a wick didn’t manage to get inside. But I think (though my memory is clearly vague) this did not change the situation. The bell went.
Deemo sent down his final stone found away in and settled counting. Auld sent his last down a different path reasoning that a wick off one of the front stones would give a win or at least move ‘B’ resulting in drawing the end.
The stone was delivered off line and short!!!!
End to ‘B’ and a match draw (Peel).
The teams shook hands and retired to the bar. Steve phoned to make an appointment with the physio. Billy the Brush considering what T-shirt to wear next time out
A cracking game – really close. Some very difficult shots made by both teams. Some really close shaves.
Well done ‘B’.
Dougie.
P.S. Ken may have better recollection and is welcome to add to the detail — it’s hard to remember how the stones lie from the other end.
Ken’s response: ”My recollections are vague in the extreme, Steve did only token sweeping, all the time extolling me to sweep harder.
I do remember the closest of close misses, especially by Hoss, but apart from that I am sure Dougie’s memories are pure fantasy.”
Holyrood Curling Club 