Looking for light at the end of the tunnel?
By the end of this game, Team Garner could quite rightly consider themselves the unluckiest team in Holyrood. So many times were they the victims of friendly fire. So many times it looked as if an end was going their way, only for hopes to be dashed by an errant delivery promoting an opponent’s stone. Fortunately this run of bad luck didn’t last the entire evening and they did salvage a couple of ends later in the game but nonetheless, Team Garner must be hoping for a change of fortune soon.
Both teams were at normal strength despite this less than popular late time slot on a Friday evening. Team Waterlow lost the toss and quickly discovered that the ice was remarkably sticky. Soon a wall of short stones had built up and gaining access to the house was increasingly difficult. Ultimately Team Waterlow found a way in to open the scoring with a single.
Then came the remarkable run of bad luck for Team Garner. And lady luck didn’t desert just one member of the team, it was the whole crew – they all managed to promote an opponent’s stone, some on more than one occasion. Meanwhile, Team Waterlow were making the best of their opponents’ bad fortune.
By the fourth end, Team Garner had settled down and were lying a single with just the very last stone to throw. Skip Garner was acutely aware that he needed more than just singles to catch up and decided to promote one of their own stones for a two. The stone was delivered but despite the sweepers best efforts, it cut away, only to promote a Team Waterlow stone; 5-0 to Team Waterlow.
Finally things came good for them in the fifth end. This time their lying stone was well protected leaving Team Waterlow unable to do anything about it.
And it got even better in the sixth, this time with a two. Time was running out (it had been a pretty slow game with quite a lot of deliberating going on) but we managed to start a seventh end just before the bell. This one ended in a single for Team Waterlow – my memory is not what it was but was that the result of a crafty tap-up? It’s immaterial really as it ended a comfortable win for Team Waterlow, an equally uncomfortable loss for Team Garner. Their luck really must change soon.
John.
Holyrood Curling Club 