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

Note: Penalty shown should be three stones, not five, so final score 10-7. And date of game was 6th February – JW.

Team B (John Mac – yellow) against Team C (Ken – blue)

With Billy away on possible jury duty Special K stood in, and with Keith unaccountably a no show, we were down to three and looking vulnerable. Keith later reported a bad back after his morning game.

First end – saw yellow falling short with the majority of stones and with two blues counting early on and soon well protected. John tried a draw with his last stone, although at the back of the house it was not counting. My last stone was a successful draw. Three up, a good start and John a bit nonplussed.

Second end – saw any stone from the opposition lying in the house being blasted out. John thought I was going for a blank end. Just following the tactics of the professionals. Yellow’s end with a one.

Third end – again we had two stones lying and after failed attempts from team B to remove them things were looking good. My last stone had the possibility of another three, but unfortunately a tentative throw meant it finished six inches short.

End four – has completely passed me by – can’t remember – but two stones to Team B.

End five – another three, Wow! A possibility we might be able to bring off a historic win.

Ends six and seven saw us steal another one in each.

End eight – not sure what happened in the early stages, but there was a dearth of blues in the house. Team B was lying with a crowd of mainly yellow stones out at the front but with a narrow corridor open. Special K asked to remove, BANG – out it went and blue now lying. Colin asked to reciprocate. BANG – blue out and yellow lying. Unfortunately a repeat from Special K just failed. My first stone, an attempt at a draw fell short, John’s did the same. Loads of yellows in the house and no blues, disaster looming. My last stone was another attempt at a draw.  I thought it was too heavy and started to explain to John that my last two games at ended with a substantial lead being lost. Anyway, my last stone did not end exactly where we wanted – it was lying in the house and had curled in behind some yellows. John’s last stone just had to follow mine in and clear to the back. He threw wide and too heavy, total exasperation from him. My stone counted second, reducing five against to one against. Result!

John claimed a five stone penalty. 10-9 for us.

Card sent up to the beak for checking, failed, three out of ten: Wrong date, wrong penalty – it should have been three.

Ken

HOLYROOD vs EDINBURGH ROTARY