Tuesday, 25th of February 2020

Around the Rinks: 22-23 February

Asham Under 17 Slam, Dewars Centre, Perth, Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 February

This weekend saw 22 teams head to Dewars Centre in Perth for the final round of this seasons Asham Under 17 Slam competition. The teams arrived on Saturday for the start of a long day on the ice which would see the overall slam winners decided.

Some high scoring games in the first few rounds made for some exciting viewing for the many spectators watching from the viewing gallery. Some highlights from the games included – a fantastic score of 7 for Team Chalmers in the second end proved just too much for the battling Team Skea to come back from. Team Wilkie-Milne, skipped by local Perth junior curler Holly, made the most of a great start against O. Carson, the current slam series leaders to hold on for a great 6-5 win. Orrin Carson had a shot for 5 in the last end which would have meant a 6-6 draw and he was so close to making it but unfortunately his shooter stone just rolled out the rings and left only four counters in the house. A fantastic effort from both teams made this a great game to watch.

7:30pm and the final games of the round robin began, dominant performances from Team Jahn (Dumfries) Team Chalmers (Perth) and Team Munro (Stranraer) saw them all win their games with comfortable margins.

Sunday morning and the start of the Quarter Finals, the winners of each game would go through to either the Low or High road Semi-Finals to meet the teams already qualified.

Low Road Semi-final 1 saw the local team Patterson take on the strong team from Stirling Young Curlers. A high score of 6 in the fourth end gave the Perth team the edge and they managed to secure the 8-3 win. In the other Semi Final, Wilkie-Milne got off to a great start against Team Jahn with a big 4 in the very first end which the backed up with a 2 in the third. A final score of 7-3 gave the local team a great win and saw them into the Low Road Final.

High Road Semi Finals saw a close game between O. Carson and R. Craik (Forfar) which the team from Forfar dominated to start with but a 3 from Carson in the fifth end levelled the score at 3-3 and set up a tense sixth end which ultimately resulted in a blank and our first extra end of the day. Craik managed to hold on for their 1, the game win and the chance to become the overall slam winners. In the other High Road Semi Final, Team Strawhorn and Team Munro, some fantastic shots were played by both teams, but Munro managed to seal the win with a big score of 3 in the last end.

The final of the Low Road saw to local Perth teams, Wilkie-Milne and Patterson take to home ice and battle it out for the win. An even game saw both teams play some incredible shots with Wilkie-Milne scoring a 2 in the third end which proved to be the decisive score. A 4-2 win for Team Wilkie-Milne.

Over on Sheet D a low scoring game showed the skill and competitive spirit of both teams. A steal of 1 in the first end gave Craik the lead but Munro held their own and took a 1 and then stole another 1. A final score of 3 -2 to Munro and we had or High Road and Perth Under 17 Slam winners.

Thanks to all teams, spectators and umpires for a great competition. The passion for the sport from all teams was clear to be seen with some great curling played over the two days.

 

 

 

 

 

Inclusive Curling, Curl Edinburgh, Saturday 22 February

On Saturday we held two very successful events at Curl Edinburgh. The first was in conjunction with RNIB Scotland and involved a group of young people with vision impairments trying curling for the first time. Some siblings and friends joined in as well.  Several of the youngsters had prepared by finding things out online beforehand and had lots of questions. The older boys in particular were interested in the icemaking process and even got to examine the ice preparation machine. After a few initial wobbles, some really good technique was on display.  Thanks to Daniel Meikle, RNIB Volunteer facilitator, for promoting this event and to the families for coming along, we hope to see you again in the future.  Next season we hope to increase the number of VI sessions across the country to enable more people to take part in curling and to create opportunities to play against each other.  Let me know if you are interested in offering this, training and support is available.

The second was another in the successful series of BSL/Deaf-friendly Curling events, returning to Murrayfield after several in Stirling. Those who had been before were able to get going quickly and make lots of improvements. Several new faces came along, bringing  lots of potential to the group. We hope to soon be in a position to look at some team training sessions for those who are eligible to compete in specific Deaf Curling competitions.  We were helped by two interpreters, Abbey and Greg, who have worked with Scottish Curling previously, good to have familiar faces. The coaches demonstrated their versatility by moving between the two groups as necessary, including both stick and standard delivery.  Huge thanks to Curl Edinburgh for being so accommodating and to the coaches and trainee coach, Jacky, Norman, Fiona and Mike.

I am keen to be able to offer BSL/Deaf-friendly curling sessions in other rinks around the country next season, please get in touch if you think that you want to be involved in, plenty of support can be given in working with interpreters etc.

[easy_image_gallery gallery=”185″]