Rinks : ‘C’ McCornerkicky ‘ v.  ‘D’  Deemo

‘Match no. 2 of 15 in the Main League !’

The usual suspects gathered in the club room for the ‘pre-curl’ banter with one notable exception! ‘Sweet Chariot’ was off on other duties, probably getting green-carded for shouting at a referee. In his place we were introduced to a new sub by the name of David Alexander, another of the Grange hockey brigade! How would he fare in the high-pressure cauldron of Holyrood Curling?  We would see in the fullness of time.

So, the rinks who took to the ice were made up thus – Mr McCornerkicky was on his first outing of the season and ably assisted by ‘Tides Out’ who has been clocking up secret training games under the guise of ‘the Vets CC’; then came ‘The Young Yin’ safely back from a summer spent on the high seas; at lead we were treated to the company of ‘Special K’ the ‘cereal’ curler who had also turned out in game one with ‘Round Them Up’.  

The opposition were led out by ‘Deemo’ who took strength from being top of the leader board with a 100%  record. OK, so we are only one game into the season but one takes those bragging rights whilst they are available. Playing third we had ‘Super Lube’ who had attended straight from a golf game and not having eaten all day was snacking on a nutri bar just before taking to the ice. At second we had David Alexander who has not yet acquired his ‘nom de plume’ but one feels that will not be long in coming.  And at lead ‘Flour Power’ Bob was revved up and raring to go.   

It was lost in the memory as to which rink won the toss (it was Rink Deemo – JW) but by the end of the first end, Rink ‘Deemo’ were two shots to the good. The ice was very good but Rink ‘McCornerkicky’ were finding it hard to get their length whilst rink ‘Deemo’ were being well set up by both Lead and Second who were playing to the broom, playing good length and finding the head. This continued for the next three ends as the score was extended to a five shots to zero lead for rink ‘Deemo’. Could this continue? End five broke the sequence with rink ‘Deemo’ scoring a three to take the score to 8 shots to zero. As you would expect, rink ‘McCornerkicky’ decided enough was enough and the sixth end saw them come out fighting to score a two and they were off and running. ‘Deemo’ watch out !

The seventh end saw a collection of ‘McCornerkicky’ stones falling short of the house, all bar two which were sitting on the periphery to the back of the house but still being outscored (just). With skip shots to be played, ‘Deemo’ surveyed the scene and could not believe what confronted him – potential for and 8 ender? With ‘Deemo’ lying six shots, it was Mr McCornerkicky on the hack!! His shot drew up short and had drawn into a pack of stones at the front of the house – the road was open for ‘Deemo’ to keep the pressure on and managed to draw a further shot into the house to lie seven. It was getting tense and ‘Tides out’ was asking young ‘McCornerkicky’ to ‘clatter into’ the collection of opposing stones – unfortunately the shot drew too much and stuck in the mass of stones at the front of the house. ‘Deemo’ had it all to play for and, not wishing to be short, played a heavier stone to lie against an opposing stone at the back of the house, this it failed to do and hit one of his own stones but not hard enough to remove it from contention and so the ‘8 ender’ was recorded – a momentous occasion for ‘Deemo’, ‘Super Lube’, ‘Flour Power’ and our new found ‘Ace’ in the pack David Alexander.

With the head duly recorded with the obligatory photo session and the score recorded, but not displayed correctly, on the board despite three attempts we retired to the bar for a refreshing ‘Swally’.

Commiseration to rink ‘McCornerkicky’ who were just unlucky on the night when their shots were coming up short on their first night back in the heat of the Holyrood League – I’m sure the next time we meet it could be a very different game.

Whether the RCCC recognise our ‘8 ender’ in the usual manner is open to debate but at least we know what transpired.   

Deemo

Rinks : ‘B’ Round them up’  v.  ‘D’  Deemo

‘Match no. 1 of 15 in the Main League for both rinks!’

A first night back on the ice for both rink and for the Holyrood Club – a bitter sweet moment for our membership. Bitter with the passing of Donny Hay who it turns out was known to his hockey playing friends at the Grange Club as the ‘Energizer Bunny’ due to his get-up-and-go spirit and his enthusiasm which seemed boundless. In Holyrood he was given the moniker ‘The Constable’ (he was after all the Hay Wean (wain) and both skips tonight remembered him in particular as he was a valued part of their rink last season. Sad that we will not see him progress further in the game that he was coming back to from his youth and for which his wider family are so well known. His passing was also registered with ECC at the AGM and he will forever recorded as a member of Holyrood Curling Club.

A ‘sweet ‘ night as we get to meet up once again with ‘Round Them Up’, ‘Hoss’, ‘Snudge’ and ‘Special K’ taking on ‘Deemo’, ‘Super Lube’, ‘Sweet Chariot’, and ‘Flour Power’. How would the game go between skips who were winners in last season’s battles?

The rink was resplendent in its new rink markings and the ice was very slippy – we were all very wary of falling until we found our ‘ice feet’. Then it was back to an assured slide delivery and the game was on.

The first end saw rink ‘Deemo’ score a two which was dutifully marked up on the score card but noted on the score board under the wrong colour – this continued for the following four ends with rink ‘Deemo’ seven shots to nil up and still nobody noticed that the score board was wrong – or was this a deliberate ploy by ‘Round Them Up’? Apparently, the mistake was not spotted until ’Tides Out’ – who had lately come along to be an impartial observer from the gallery – sought guidance and an explanation from ‘Hoss’.  Thankfully the score card had been recorded correctly by the second players in the rinks and signed off by both skips – phew, the result stood.

There were numerous ‘good ‘ shots made during the game but special note must go to ‘Sweet Chariot’ who when asked to play a take-out was surprised to see it do exactly as asked (ye of little faith). Then in the sixth end ‘Deemo’ managed to take-out an opposing shot through a narrow port only to be up-staged by ‘Round Them Up’ who then played a similar shot to take out ‘Deemo’s’ scoring shot and lie counting three. It was a majestic shot and well worthy of the three shot score but it was not to be enough as rink ‘Deemo’ regained their composure and scored a single in the last end. It ended with a score of eight shots to three for rink ‘Deemo’ after seven ends. A minute or two smarter and we could have played eight ends but the reward for seven ends was a short queue at the bar and a chance to have a sociable debrief and a toast to absent friends.

Our best wish to all our fellow club members who have still to take to the ice and we look forward to you joining the fray once again.

Deemo