This was the second outing for both teams but this time team was fielding full strength.

Colin had just returned from a major trek across the UK and even managed to play for the vets in the morning ( superfit ).

Gill fully refreshed after a weeks after a weeks R&R on the backs of Loch Tay.

First end 0-1 great play by team B with Steve and Fiona (subbing for John ) playing superb early stones, followed by Kay playing some outstanding shots squeezing into the house  First end to team D . Alice’s team were clearly on form.

Somehow, and its hard to remember the details, Team A clawed back the second end to give 2-1 to Team A.

Blocking and takeout tactics allowed team A to hold the lead and at the close of end 5 the score stood at 6-1. Surely as the clock ticked on team A had it in the bag?

End 6.  Colin flagging, all that walking had worn him out.  Gill too as the game needed lost of sweeping to steer. The house was filling with Blue – and just one yellow hanging in the wings.  If the yellow was removed team D could at least draw. Even Ken started struggling with weight after skip Auld called for so many take-outs throughout the match.

Ken put up a guard – fell short leaving yellow still exposed

Kay – added another blue to the centre of house

Dougie – tries for the guard – no luck

Alice – goes for the takeout – missed

Dougie – hoping to save the match if not the end, tries to sneak one round the side and into the middle – fails

Alice – seeing the opportunity for a match win sends the last stone up the add to the house – if it gets inside the yellow all is lost for team A. lots of tension in the ‘A’ camp. The stone crosses the Hog.  The line is not as hoped. Stone 8 rattles the pack and moves counting blues away.

Only 4 blues left inside the solitary yellow.

‘A’ could not believe their luck.

‘D’ desolate.

Final score 6-5 to ‘A’

Dougie

First match of the new season after forced break due to the pestilence that is Covid-19. Great to be back on the ice with friends.

Lots of questions raised in my mind: –

• What does the ice rink look like?

• Will I remember how to play?

• Will I be able to throw the stone to the house?

• Will I be sore the next day?

Team A fielded 2 subs; Gill away on a well-deserved and long-awaited holiday replaced by Stewart Byrne (welcome back Stu) and Colin, who was away on ‘walk about’, replaced by John Waterlow, and faced a formidable John MacConnachie team

Team B started well stealing a point on the last stone from A who thought they had the end in the bag.  John clearly had not lost his famous skill.

End 2 saw team A recover a 2-point win and a further win for end 3 — score now 5:1 to A

End 4 was an end of nip and tuck for both teams with some spectacular shot play but them an outrageous stone from Skip A stole another 2 points (Auld must have been inspired and got very very lucky)

End 5 John was not having it — bringing his team to a steely focus another 2-point win brought the score to 7:3 but Team A had the hammer (whatever that means) 

Last end —would Johns famous skill save the match with a draw?

First 8 stones gave nothing away. Next 4 again nothing. House filling up. No stones wasted. Button exposed but route in requiring a draw and very tight.

Team B counting. Team A decided on an aggressive approach and missed

Another stone from B blocking to outside route

Team A again decided to take the direct route…. The line being identified by Ken in his own unique style …. The last stone was delivered … off line … struck front of house guards and rattled into the centre and moved opposition to the side.  OUTRAGEOUS 2 points!

A few of us retired to the bar for recovery and recounted play in disbelief of the result.

It’s good to be back

Dougie Auld