Rinks: D ‘Tides out’ vs A ‘Deemo’
Match 19 of 30 in the Main League
Both rinks took to the ice with their designated rinks with one exception (but more of that later). Rink D was fielding ‘Tides out’ as skip with ‘The Young Yin’ at 3rd, ‘Special K’ at 2nd and ‘Blue’ as the sharp point in an, as expected, attack-minded formation. Rink Deemo came out to bat with ‘The Maverick’ at 3rd, ‘Ivor the Engine’ in at 2nd and, back from social duties, ‘Newsprint’ kicking off at lead.
The exception being that ‘Ivor the Engine’ arrived late and was able to take to the ice when thirds stones were due to be played – “sorry I’m late team, leaves on the line at Roseburn Junction” or words to that effect.
The first end had Rink Deemo off to a sound start with ‘The Maverick’ and ‘Newsprint’ playing three shots each whilst ‘Ivor’ came in to contribute to sweeping duties for stones five through to eight.
A score of two was recorded for ‘Deemo’ at the first end and everybody was feeling in ‘fine fettle’.
Ends two through to four saw scores of one shot at each with rink ‘Deemo’ racing to a 4 shots to 1 lead. How we got there I cannot exactly remember but a feeling of optimism was in the air for rink ‘Deemo’. (I vaguely recall a Houdini-like escape for Team ‘Deemo’ when a position of several stones against was converted to a +1 by dint of accurate drawing through a narrow gap – JW)
Complacency has its own rewards?? Rink D struck back in the fifth end to score three taking the score to 4 all – it could have been worse but a skips shot saved the count being 4 or 5 (small relief).
End six was played toward the cafe end and shots were piling up around the pot lid for Rink D. Three shot rocks for ‘D’ surrounded the pot lid with the centre still open; if only we could get a stone in there!
With three opposing stones forming an avenue of granite and leaving a fairly tight passage into the head, it was decided to try and use one of the three to help nudge our stone towards the group of three in the centre to at least cut back the opposing shot count and, at best, lie amongst them to take shot! The shot played and the diverting rub achieved, rink ‘A’ were lying shot – just. ‘Tides out’ then played his last stone which was fractions heavy but it did leave the possibility of a take-out on the nose to count two – taking the bull by the horns we decided this was our opportunity to steal the initiative!
‘Deemo’ played the last stone of the end, not too hard, but with the sweepers being urged on by cries of ‘Yes! Yes! Oh, yes!’ (Dear knows what other curlers thought was happening on sheet 2). The stone was true to its intended goal and managed to take out ‘Tides out’s’ stone to lie for two for Rink Deemo.
The seventh end was a nervy affair with rink ‘D’ lying three stones dotted around the periphery of the head (yup, that’s what to call it – periphery). Rink ‘Deemo’ with their last-but-one stone managed to lie in the house and partly hidden by another stone front and centre but still open to a take-out. Thankfully, ‘Tides out’ played slightly heavy and his stone skimmed past barely touching our shot, nudging it closer to cover but still open to a potential take-out attempt. Rink ‘Deemo’ decided to play a guard and with much arduous sweeping from the troops, they managed to get the stone just over the hog line but covering the possible line to any take-out attempt. A draw to the pot-lid being the only apparent option to ‘Tides out’ his shot was played possibly a little too heavy or swept a little too far and it slid to the back of the head (as my memory has it). Rink Deemo were counting a single shot to end the game and ran out winners with a 7–4 score line.
We replay the fixture at our next outing and whilst craving a similar outcome, Rink Deemo will need to be at their best again.
Goings on outwith the rink meant that only four of the group could partake of a relaxing ‘gargle’ to unwind whilst we watched the beginning of our fellow club members’ 3rd round match in the KG IV Trophy competition against Merchiston. The opening two ends saw Holyrood taking the game by the scruff of the neck but then, alas, we had to head for home as evening meals were calling!!!! (See a brief report of the game on our External Fixtures page – JW)
Till the next time – don’t have nightmares, do sleep well.
Deemo
Holyrood Curling Club 