A short tale entitled A SURFEIT OF SUBS.
With Steve away on manoeuvres and Colin with back problems, two subs were required. Supersub Bob for Colin and SuperK for Steve. Superlube had also turned up, not sure if Steve had found a sub.
The game started with a very reluctant David Dunsire being forced to take on the job of skip with SuperK third, Bob second and Cornerkicky lead, playing yellow. Team C, blue, who lost the toss.
First end we managed to steal three and the second managed to hold onto a single. Third end a disaster. Two well placed blue stones were disposed of in one fell swoop leaving us bereft of stones in the house. Attempts by Constable in third to remedy the situation failed miserably with nothing in play. It remained to yours truly to save the situation which resulted in first stone going off line and into the realms of Outer Mongolia, and the final stone sailing through a sea of yellow without effect. Dave’s final stone compounded the embarrassment with another stone in the house. Six against.
At this stage Superlube who had been watching with interest and offering advice, then announced that SuperK wanted to call off and would it be OK if he took over. Have we been nobbled?
Fourth end. Scalpel placed a stone on the front half of the button followed by an equally good stone from Supersub sitting on the blue but pushing it back to sit in the middle. Decision that the yellow couldn’t be moved so all efforts were put into guarding and preventing incursions from the opposition, mission achieved.
Fifth end. We managed to retain a single stone counting, now level.
Sixth end. Well placed stones in play from Deemo with second stone sitting on a yellow in the four feet. Scalpel called to bring her stone up to it and hopefully push the yellow out the back, achieved with precision. Constable asked to place his stones on opposite side of house and guarded by opposition stones. Done! The house still relatively open to draws from the opposition. My first stone, supposed to be a guard went walkabout but opposition didn’t take advantage, last stone a good guard and we managed to hold onto our three.
Seventh end. Again, excellent stones from Demo followed up with Scalpel removing problem yellow and also now counting, we were sitting three. House open on both sides with a yellow on both with potential for promotion, or wicking off, so guards called for, first went astray, second went in the gap and also counted. Failure to change the position from the opposition and my first guard prevented anticipated opposition scoring. Second guard managed to tap up previous guard to also count. A satisfying five. Opposition somewhat demoralised but partly restored after a visit to the bar.
Kind regards
Ken.
Holyrood Curling Club 