Match 25 of 30 in the Main League
Both rinks took to the ice with their designated rinks with one exception. ‘Sweet Chariot’ was scheduled to turn out for Team D’s five man rink with ‘Tides out’ standing down – would that turn the odds in favour of rink ‘Deemo’?
‘Sweet Chariot’ had succumbed to a bug so ‘Tides Out’ was thrust into the action once again. So Rink D took to the ice with the familiar setup of ‘Tides Out’ as skip with ‘The Young Yin’ at 3rd, ‘Special K’ at 2nd and ‘Blue’ as the sharp point. Rink ‘Deemo’ came out to bat with ‘The Maverick’ at 3rd , ‘Ivor the Engine’ in at 2nd and ‘Newsprint’ kicking off at lead to blunt the opposition attack.
Was this to be a rerun of our last encounter? – Rink ‘Deemo’ hoped that not to be the case as a win in this match would set them up in a stronger position to secure the league – but these things are never a given.
The first end had got rink Deemo off to a sound start by counting a three – an unusual start which caught them off guard – could that advantage be maintained? With no stones having gone through the head there was a collection of granite sitting short of the house with all commenting on how slow the ice was – still three stone counting for rink ‘Deemo’.
End two saw a similar situation develop with a defensive line of rocks across the front of the head for rink ‘Deemo’ which ultimately led to them keeping rink ‘Tides out’ scratching about for a way into the head and setting up another count of three for rink ‘Deemo’ without the hammer. A comfortable start for rink ‘Deemo’ – when would the wheels come off the wagon?
Ends three and four saw a resurgence for ‘Tides out’ scoring singles at each. However, end three in particular was critical when ‘Team D’ were restricted to counting a single shot after a deft draw by ‘The Maverick’ which intersected two counting opposition stones keeping them to one when a two or three count was looking possible.
With consistent shooting by rink ‘Deemo’ on ends five, six and seven they picked up a two then two consecutive singles to run out winners by ten shots to two. A satisfying night’s work for rink ‘Deemo’ means that they keep the initiative in the race to secure this season’s title but not quite over the line yet while needing to secure one point from four in our final two games.
It has been a close run season, enjoyable and nerve-wracking at times with the contest still live at this stage to see who takes the crown at one end and the wooden spoon at the other.
Till the next time – enjoy the visit to Hamilton for those taking part in the ‘Away-day’ event and we shall see how the final games decide our fate.
Deemo
Holyrood Curling Club 