www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

FEATURESTony Zummack gives us an insight into curling ice, we give you an update on recent RCCC Staff changes and we find out more about outdoor curling in Switzerland.

CLUBS & RINKSStirling Young Curlers and curlers across the country slide into action as new season gets under way.

COMPETITIONSThis month’s competitions round-up including the Asham Slams, GSCT and the European Playdowns.

Your CurlerThe Royal Caledonian Curling Club Member Ezine

33Issue

Oct 2015

Members of Bridge of Allan Curling Club were honoured by Stirling Provost Mike Robbins at a civic reception held on Thursday 3rd September to mark the Club’s 225th anniversary. Joined by members, representatives of the RCCC, Airthrey Castle, Blair Drummond, Doune, Dunblane, Keir and Pollok Curling clubs, the Wheelchair Curlers, the Stirling Virtual Club, Central Province and Active Stirling, as well as members of the Bridge of Allan Community Council, Stirling Council and the Dr. Welsh trust, the Provost spoke of the strong association this area of Scotland currently has with curling and of its historical connections too. He commended Bridge of Allan Curling Club on its longevity and toasted its continued existence for another 225 years! Glynis McKeand, the Club President, thanked the Provost for honouring the club in this way and spoke of Club members’ appreciation of the support of the wider curling fraternity and the local community in helping keep Bridge of Allan Curling Club as vibrant as it is. Mrs. McKeand also recognised the support recently given to the club by the local community in its fund raising efforts which ensured the club was able to buy back its historic club medals which had been missing for nearly forty years. The 25 medals, dating back to 1851, were mostly silver competition prizes but included a number of special presentation items and one gold medal presented in 1865

by Lord Abercromby. They were mounted on a velvet waistcoat and were worn by the club president on special occasions. They were stored away in a bank vault until 1979 when they were uplifted but not returned. Despite efforts to locate them for the Club’s bicentenary in 1990, they were presumed lost until they appeared at a local auction house in November 2014. The medals were sold to an unnamed bidder but the Club was able to negotiate a deal to restore them to their rightful owners. Now cleaned and polished and mounted on a new plaque they took pride of place at the Civic Reception.

02 Clubs & Rinks OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

BRIDGE OF ALLAN CELEBRATES 225th ANNIVERSARY

Report and photo courtesy of Graham Russell

Report by Wendy Highet. Photo Contributor: John McGowan

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY FOR CATHCART CASTLE CURLING CLUB Cathcart Castle Curling Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in season 2014-15. The Club was founded in 1964 by some gents from Cathcart Castle Golf Club in the south side of Glasgow, who were looking for a worthwhile activity during the dreich winter months when they couldn’t play golf. The Club was admitted to the RCCC in 1965 and membership grew rapidly. The problem of declining numbers in the 1990’s led to a successful collaboration with Scottish Power Curling Club, Glasgow, in 1998 when the Club became “open”, enabling both non-members of the golf club and also women to join for the first time. The club is now thriving as a mixed club, playing its internal competitions at Braehead and the majority of its friendly matches at Greenacres. The Club’s first female President, Wendy Highet, was delighted to preside over the planning and running of the Golden Anniversary Season events. The first of these was a special Dinner held at the Golf Club in November 2014 when 31 current and former members and 20 guests enjoyed a convivial evening of reminiscences, including a film show of club photographs down the years and a booklet recording the club’s history. An Invitational Bonspiel was held at Greenacres in February, playing against 6 different clubs with which Cathcart Castle has had the longest association. Curlers enjoyed canapés before curling, followed by a glass of mulled cider during a mid-session interval during which the brooms were stacked. The evening also featured a delicious meal; a “Guess the Year” quiz featuring trivia

from world and Club events over the last 50 years; and a marvellous special anniversary cake. Our anniversary season was rounded off in early March with a day trip through to the capital and Murrayfield ice rink. There we held a fun Club Bonspiel and had an enjoyable lunch at the ice rink before a few drinks were sunk on the way home! It was a delight to be able to welcome founder member and Honorary President Jack Brown to all three anniversary events. With playing membership numbers standing at 33 going in to the new season, and a steady influx of new members over the last few years, including some more recently from the Braehead Virtual Club, our friendly wee club is well placed to enter the next phase of its history.

DUMFRIES LIONS CLUB From 18th to 19th September 2015, Dumfries Lions Club held their 22nd annual curling bonspiel at Dumfries Ice Bowl. The event was the first open competition at Dumfries for the 2015/2016 curling season. 22 teams competed including young curlers from Stranraer, gaining practise before their main national competitions commenced. Other players and teams travelled from Wales, Lanarkshire and the Scottish Borders, making the competition even fiercer.

Games were six ends which were 90 minutes long, with the position of the end at 90 minutes being counted as the score, resulting in teams having to watch the clock and not lose a lot of shots in the end.

03Clubs & Rinks OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

Report and photo courtesy Laura Mutch

CURL ABERDEEN CELEBRATE WITH 10th ANNIVERSARY BONSPIEL Curl Aberdeen celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a bonspiel on 18th September 2015. Entry was on an individual basis and teams were drawn before the start of the competition. Sixty four players representing all the clubs who play at Curl Aberdeen took part each playing two 3 end games followed by a final. The winners were L-R: George Rogerson (Chairman – Curl Aberdeen), Malcolm Watson, Gwen Aitken, Sandy Mathers, Brenda Urquhart (Skip) and Mike Ritchie (Treasurer – Curl Aberdeen).

Everyone enjoyed the social evening which included a buffet dinner and birthday cake!

Report and photo: Graham Sloan

This format resulted in close competition with no more than a few points separating top from bottom teams and the resulted in the number of ends and shots scored becoming important.It was pleasing to see that not only had the Junior Curlers their own teams, but there were a large number of young people interspersed within the adult teams. The High Road was incredibly close with a number of possibilities open to decide the potential winner. In the end it was between two teams, Pougher and Sloan Rangers who were tied on the same wins going into the last game and Sloan Rangers slightly ahead on ends.Pougher won their last game with a score of 6-3 win against Team Gracie, while Sloan Ranger won their game against David Hardie Rotary with a final score of 7-5. The tight nature of the competition meant that no one was quite positive who had won and it wasn’t until the organiser, Jim McCormack, announced the results that it was confirmed that Graham Sloan’s Sloan Rangers were the winners of the High Road by just one end, and Pougher of Wales were the runners up. In the Low Road, at the conclusion of the six games the very popular winners were Ryan Carson and his three sons, Struan, Orrin and Logan, with Dumfries CC rink of Jim and Jane Hogg, Irene Doidge and Iain Jamieson coming runners up. All those who had played over the weekend made favourable comment on the competition, the interesting rules, high standard of ice and the level of service provided by staff. It was clear this event had drawn a number of visitors to the region and generated further income to local businesses. The event raised over £2,300 which will partially be used fund the 2016 Lions International Youth Centre when the local club will host some 40 young people from all over the world who have chosen to come to Scotland. The competition will again be held at the start of the 2016/2017 season and entries can be accepted now.

Report and photo: Phil Barton

KINROSS CURLING IN SEASON OPENING BONSPIEL Ice Diamond Award Winners 2015, Kinross Curling, saw nearly 60 curlers take part in the Opening Bonspiel on 12th September. The anticipation of stepping on the ice for the first time in the new season was quite evident. The curling ice looked perfect. This year we were very pleased to have prizes and a splendid trophy presented by Graham Hadley, on behalf of his company - Mary Queen of Scots Promotions - Kinross. After a day of keen curling and close matches the results were: Winners: skipped by Phil Barton with local curlers Angela Wilcox, Elaine Paterson, Sarah Bruce-Jones, Second Place: rink skipped by Bob Smith, Third place: rink skipped by Craig Lindsay. Kinross Curling welcomes curlers to enter our second ‘Stick’ bonspiel of the year, on Saturday 28th November. The first event in April was very successful and so we aim build on that platform. Using a curling stick keeps many curlers active and involved in our sport. Individuals or teams are invited to enter. If you have not used a curling stick before there will be some tuition before the event.

To enter, email Steven Kerr, Ice Manager on iceman@kinrosscurling.co.uk or telephone 01577 861821

04 Clubs & Rinks OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

Report and photo courtesy of Ian Mcneish

THE PEAK SLIDES INTO ACTION WITH THE DOUNE DOSEBOWL The 2015 / 16 curling season at The Peak began with the annual opener, The Doune Rosebowl. Twenty-four teams took part over two full sessions with experienced curling clubs like Keir, Kilsyth, Doune, Drymen, Buccaneers and many more battling it out for this prestigious trophy. Emerging victorious this season to lift the trophy was a team of virtual beginners. Yes, a team representing the ‘morning’ Virtual Club, in only their second season of curling. They defeated their much more experienced rivals on the day and snatched the Doune Rosebowl. Skip, Margaret McLean said ‘I have really enjoyed learning to curl with the virtual club, it is great that we have achieved something like winning the Rose Bowl.’ Nick Rawlings added ‘The virtual club has taught us to curl from ground zero. With great coaches like Elspeth, Stuart and Irene we have progressed quickly. Starting a sport with good coaching avoids learning lots of bad habits which then have to be corrected.’ Pictured: Nick Rawlings, Margaret McLean, Mike Stevens and Alison Anderson.

High School pupils from Stirling, Denny, Dunblane, St. Modans, Wallace & Morrisons this season took part in a new venture instigated by Stirling Young Curlers – the ‘Senior Schools Curling League’. The event was sponsored by Cathedral Accounting Services of Dunblane, who also donated an impressive Quaich, which was presented on behalf of the company by Andrew Hemming to the winning team from the High

School of Stirling was skipped by Alastair Tweedle and including James Thomson, Kathryn Tweedle, Duncan Bowie & Sub Cameron Macdonald.Long serving Stirling Young Curlers coach Mr Bob Kerr retired this season and members would like to say a very special thank you for all the Saturday mornings Bob has given up to teach the club members how to play the game that he loves so much. Bob came along to the ice rink at Willianfield Stirling with his Granddaughter in 2000. When she left the club he decided to stay on and the club are grateful that he did. Bob has also coached for Active Stirling, Try Curling sessions, Curling’s Cool, Corporate and Groups. The Club presented Bob with a framed photo of all the club members as a memento of his happy time with them. Stirling Young Curlers Club meet on Saturday morning at The Peak, from 8.30am. Contact Telephone: 07712050010.

NEW COMPETITION FOR STRILING YOUNG CURLERS

Report and photos courtesy of Pamela Thomson

GLASGOW BMA VICTORIA LADIES CURLING CLUB REFORMED UNDER NEW NAME Glasgow BMA Victoria Ladies Curling Club has reformed under a new name. We are now Glasgow Ptarmigan Curling Club. The club is at last in a position to invite new members to join us on a Thursday morning, 10AM at Braehead Curling Rink, Glasgow. We have two league and two bonspiel competitions over the curling season. Whilst our lady members enjoy good company and chat during the games, these competitions are played for in earnest but with good humour. Anyone out there looking for some curling on a Thursday morning please contact Secretary Wilma Graham by e mail at-flintstone.threads@ntlworld.com.

Dippool Curling Club who play at Hamilton Ice Rink started the 2015/16 season with one of the rinks scoring an Eight Ender. Skip Jim Sandilands, Third Morag Sandilands, Second Anne Marsh, Lead Peter Gilchrist. Congratulations to all involved.

8 ENDER FOR DIPPOOL CURLERS

Report and photo courtesy of Elizabeth Moffat

05Features OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

LATEST RCCC STAFF STRUCTURE & RECRUITMENTS

SUSAN MURRIN (EVENT MANAGER) Scotland has been awarded four international curling championships from 2016 to 2020. The new Event Manager position has been created to work with Local Organising Committees and ensure that Scotland delivers a series of events to the highest possible standard. Susan joined the RCCC following on

from roles as Event Manager in Women’s Rugby and Rowing. The Local Organising Committee has now been formed for the 2016 European Curling Championships taking place in Braehead Arena and Braehead Curling Rink, and work has commenced in the many different event sectors.

ALINE HARDIE (COMPETITION CO-ORDINATOR) The RCCC has changed the staff structure to enable a full time position focused on RCCC competitions. With over 40 competitions on the RCCC calendar for varying levels of abilities, genders and ages, this is a big part of the organisation’s activities.

Aline is involved in managing the competition bidding process, contracts, competition entries, draws and volunteers, as well as playing a key role in the umpire and rules committees.

LINDSEY BOOTH(WELFARE OFFICER) The Welfare Officer post (1 day / week) has been created to focus on the child protection and welfare aspects of the sport. Lindsey has joined The RCCC at a very significant time due to undergoing an audit by Children’s First and guidance from Volunteer Scotland to ensure that all coaches and

volunteers working with children and protected adults are checked via the PVG scheme by 31st Oct 2015. Collaborative working with Ice Rink Facilities and Development Groups is taking place to ensure all partners meet legislation requirements.

Over the summer period, there have been lots of staff changes and new recruits at the RCCC. It is an exciting time with an office move imminent and changes in the staffing structure to improve efficiency. Below is a staff diagram, an introduction to our new recruits and a short insight into their roles.

LAURA BARR (ADMINISTRATOR) Laura joined The RCCC in August as Administrator and is no stranger to curling, having been involved in the sport since the age of 9 and is currently part of the Academy programme. Laura is responsible for office administration including competition, committee and performance support, updating web content, data entry and telephone answering.

FIONA KENNEDY (DEVELOPMENT MANAGER) Fiona joined The RCCC in August with a career background in Active Schools, Disability Sport and Community Sports Hubs. Fiona is managing the Curling Development Officer network and is the primary contact for Development Groups. Fiona has lots of fresh ideas and

will be supporting Scottish Wheelchair Curling Association (SWCA) to provide a Club Development Day soon with plans to host regional club development days later in the season.

06 Features OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

Coaches corner

After the last article about stones, this discussion will focus on curling ice, as the two are required to create the best conditions possible. Contrary to what you may believe, curling ice is not just frozen water with some pebble on it. There is a long list of variables that contribute to curling ice having certain characteristics and all of these are controllable to a certain degree.

Humidity - In Scotland this is a concern for all clubs and needs to be controlled. The two ways you can control humidity in a curling rink is either a dehumidifier or heat, that’s right, heat. It is practically impossible to have fast curling ice in a cold ice rink. The size of the building, height of the ceiling, air flow pattern and air temperature are some variables that need to be considered by the ice technician and will be specific to that environment.Water - Not just any water will do. De-ionized water is ideal for making curling ice since it has all the impurities removed. I am not a water expert, but I do know that normal tap water is not recommended without some sort of purification system before it is used to make curling ice. It has an impact on the way the pebble will react and break down during play, so think about this and ask your local ice technician about the water supply in your ice rink.Pebble - The size of the pebble, the temperature of the water being used, the number of layers (1 or 2), the uniformity and consist application of the pebble across the sheet of ice and the way the pebble is broken down prior to play all need to be considered. At a world championship generally only 1 or 2 persons apply the pebble for every sheet on every draw. This is usually the responsibility of the head ice technician or their deputy. If your club has multiple volunteer ice technician’s it is important that they all have the same pebble characteristics in order to give you the same conditions on a regular basis.Ice scraper - This machine is responsible for keeping the ice clean and flat or contoured. Curling ice can be contoured slightly dependant on the quality of the blade being used and the pattern the ice technician uses. It is important to vary your scrapping pattern each day so that it stays as flat as possible and doesn’t end up with too many contours. A good ice maker with good blades should be able to give you the flattest surface possible.

Ice contour - Contrary to popular belief not all ice is flat nor is all ice contoured. As we discussed in the previous article curling stones may impact the contour or shape of ice based on their condition. Stones that are older that have not been textured since they were new may not have the necessary ability to create friction with the pebble to create the curl. At this point the ice may need to be contoured in order to help the stones curl. While this may sound somewhat foreign, I can assure you that a world class ice maker with good equipment can create any contour in ice they want and that includes flat ice. However a good ice maker with a scraper blade that is less than perfect can inadvertently create contours they do not want.

If this all sounds slightly more complicated than you originally thought, you are right it is! I am writing this article while flying back to Scotland from the 2015 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships in Russia. While helping Judith and Lee McCleary prepare I wanted to know as much about the building, the ice and finally the stones we would be using. I can say that we were prepared for the conditions we were faced with and had a strategy in place to deal with those conditions and a game plan those conditions would allow us to execute. Knowledge does not guarantee success but it helps eliminate doubt.If I have gotten you thinking or discussing………I have done my job.

Tony Zummack, Head Coach for Scottish/British Curling provides us with a unique insight into high performance curling.

Stones and Ice - Part 2

Report by Richard Kingslake

SCOTTISH WEEK: OUTDOOR CURLING IN SWITZERLAND We would like to welcome all curlers to Scottish Week, held as always in Zermatt, Switzerland - from 18th January to 22nd January 2016. Scottish week has been running since 1933 when a group of Scottish curlers went to play outdoor games against Zermatt Curling Club players. The fixture became annual, with curlers from all parts of Switzerland meeting as many players from Scotland who were invited to go. Two cups were inaugurated - the Dundee Kettle, donated by Scots, and the Swiss Silver Curling Stone, which was donated by Zermatt Curling Club. The format has remained largely unchanged; latterly a third competition - the Praliner Cup - has been added, where teams compete for large chocolate curling “stones” filled with pralines made by the specialist Biner chocolate shop. All games take place on natural ice. The local tennis courts are flooded, providing a wonderful ice rink in the middle of the village overlooked by the magnificent Matterhorn. Although the ice is naturally frozen, it is prepared by the familiar Zamboni ice machine so we are spared leaves, frozen snow and reeds! The three competitions take place over five days of play. Each player comes as an individual, not as a team, and a fresh draw is made for each

competition. This means the maximum mingling of participants, both Scottish and Swiss. The whole event is very sociable and friendly, and the après curl is a major aspect. The standard of play is exciting, challenging and at times surprising, and players of all levels are encouraged to come along.

For more information, go to www.scottishweek.org or contact Richard Kingslake (richard.kingslake@gmail.com) or Roy Murray (alisonandroymurray@fsmail.net).Do come and join us!

07Competitions & Events OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

24 OCT ALAN STEEL ASSET MANAGEMENT 2015 INDOOR GRAND MATCH

27 OCT – 1 NOV MASTERS – GRAND SLAM OF CURLING TRURO, CANADA

31 OCT – 1 NOV ASHAM UNDER 17 SLAM - LANARKSHIRE LANARKSHIRE ICE RINK (HAMILTON)

5 – 8 NOV JSI OVCA JUNIOR SUPERSPIEL, CANADA OTTOWA, CANADA

6 – 9 NOV GSCT – EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MURRAYFIELD (EDINBURGH)

6 – 9 NOV COLONIAL SQUARE LADIES CLASSIC, SASKATOON, CANADA

7 – 12 NOV WORLD WHEELCHAIR CURLING QUALIFICATION, LOHJA, FINLAND

8 NOV SKILL AWARDS CHALLENGE LIVE ACTIVE DEWARS CENTRE (PERTH)

10 – 12 NOV NATIONAL MASTERS MEN’S CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP - QUALIFIERS GREENACRES CURLING RINK

13 – 15 NOV SCOTTISH PROVINCE CHAMPIONSHIP GREENACRES CURLING RINK

13 – 15 NOV ASHAM UNDER 21 SLAM – INVERNESS INVERNESS ICE ARENA

13 – 15 NOV INTERNATIONAL ZO WOMEN’S CURLING TOURNAMENT, WETZIKON, SWITZERLAND

19 – 22 NOV DAVE JONES MOLSON MAYFLOWER CASHSPIEL, HALIFAX, CANADA

19 – 23 NOV DEKALB SUPERSPIEL, MORRIS, CANADA

20 – 28 NOV EUROPEAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS ESBJERG, DENMARK

20 – 22 NOV GSCT – FORFAR OPEN, FORFAR INDOOR SPORTS

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08 Competitions & Events OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

JACKSON WINS EJCT BRAEHEAD Performance Foundation team, Team Jackson (Sophie Jackson, Naomi Brown, Rachel Halliday, Rachael Hannen) took the women’s Braehead Junior International title as they defeated Switzerland’s Team Gauchat in the first event of the European Junior Curling Tour, a part of the Curling Champions Tour. The final was a close fought contest in the early stages, but Team Jackson finished strongly taking a two in the 5th end and stealing a three in the 6th end to win the Final 7-2 in six ends.

For results and more from the competition go to EJCT Braehead

Report and photo courtesy of GSCT

HARDIE WINS GSCT BRAEHEAD OPEN Grant Hardie and his team of Blair Fraser, David Reid and Billy Morton were the winners of the first Goldline Scottish Curling Tour event of the season. Hardie and MacDonald had a good tustle in the final, with Hardie 1 up, with hammer, going down the last. The final few shots from both skips were fantastic, but it was Hardie who emerged victorious 6-5, gaining tour points, the Braehead Open trophy and £650 prize money. Team Stuart Taylor won the mini shenkel, with Kubeskova coming second.

For a full competition round-up go to GSCT Braehead Open

TEAM DODDS SCOTTISH CURLING MIXED CHAMPIONS

Twelve teams took part at the Scottish Curling Senior Mixed Championship at Stranraer Ice Rink from 9th to 11th October. In the Final, Team Ken Horton (Ken Horton, Dot Moran, David Ramsay, Liz Horton) took on Team Trevor Dodds (Trevor Dodds, Catherine Dodds, Robin Copland, Lois Copland) and Team Horton raced to an early lead of 4-0. However Team Dodds fought back from their early deficit and the last end was played with the scores tied and Horton holding the hammer. Come Trevor Dodds’ last stone, Team Horton were lying shot at the back corner of the four foot with second and third shots as well. Trevor Dodds’ attempted freeze overcurled ever so slightly but wicked off the Horton counter to lie semi-protected behind a corner guard. Ken Horton elected to half-hit it, but his stone ran straighter than expected and Team Dodds took the Scottish Curling Senior Mixed Championship title.

For a full report go to Scottish CurlingSenior Mixed Championship

09Competitions & Events OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

Report and photo courtesy of ????

The first of this year’s Asham Under 14 Slams took place at Forfar Indoor Sports on Sunday 11thOctober

with teams from as far afield as Elgin, Ayr, Kelso and Dumfries taking part alongside local representation. In the High Road Final, Team Bryce (Angus Bryce, Matthew Makenzie, Robbie McCormack, Ross Own (pictured) defeated Team Gallacher with a score of 4-1. Steals in the first 3 ends giving Team Bryce a 4 shot lead, in the end proved too much for Team Gallacher who could only secure one shot in the last end.

For a full report go to Asham Under 14 Slam Forfar

FORFAR

For full results from the competition go toAsham Under 17 Slam Lockerbie

The first of the Asham Under 17 Slam events kicked off this weekend with The Stevenson

Trophy at Lockerbie. 22 teams from as far afield as Elgin and Aberdeen played in different sections to reach the qualifying stages on Sunday. Great play and sportsmanship was shown throughout. A Perth team skipped by Callum Kinnear, with local player Ryan McCormack, Duncan McFadzean and Matthew McKenzie, won the High Road final, taking the The Stevenson Trophy, beating the Stirling team skipped by Lisa Davie. A team from Stranraer skipped by Andrew Gilmore won the Low Road final, beating a Dumfries team skipped by Finlay Howat. Some fun was had in an additional singles competition with Angus Bryce emerging the winner and Robbie McCormack as runner up.

LOCKERBIE

SMITH AND MUIRHEAD TO REPRESENT SCOTLAND IN EUROPE Team Smith and Team Muirhead will represent Scotland at the Le Gruyère European Curling Championships in Esbjerg, Denmark from 20th to 28th November 2015. Team Smith met Team Brewster in the men’s Final of the European Playdowns. After beating Brewster in a very close extra end 7-6 win in their first game, Team Smith once again edged out their opponents in the tenth end of their second game, to win their best of three final by two games to nil and secure their place at the European Curling Championships. Having gone undefeated all week, Team Muirhead only needed one win to secure their place in Esbjerg and they did just that defeating Team Gray 7-6 in the women’s Final.

For full results from the competition go to the European Playdowns

Report and photo courtesy of Brad Askew

10 Competitions & Events OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE | YOUR CURLER | www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org

Nine men’s teams and six women’s teams played in the Asham Under 21 Slam, Greenacres Junior Masters at Greenacres Curling Club from 18th to 20th September. In the women’s section Katrina Aitken, Amy MacDonald, Sophie Sinclair and Laura Barr made it to the final against Lauren Morgan, Leeanne McKenzie, Jenni Cannon and Becca Baird. This was a close game, team Aitken had the last stone advantage at the start and came out the winners on a scoreline of 8-6 after an extra end. Luke Carson with George Ballantyne, James Craik and Mark Taylor came up against Ross Whyte, James Baird, Gavin Barr and David Baird in the men’s final. This was another close game, neither team could get much advantage but team Whyte won the final winning by two shots, 6-4 to team Whyte.

Read more about the Asham Under 21Slam Greenacres

GREENACRES

HARDIE WINS SECOND GSCT TITLE AT DUMFRIES Team Hardie (Grant Hardie, Blair Fraser, David Reid, Billy Morton) won the Goldline Scotish Curling Tour Dumfries Open from 16th to 18th October. This now means that Hardie have won both of the GSCT events this season and sit firmly on top of the tour table. Hardie defeated Team Mouat in a close Final, in which the teams were still tied 2-2 after 5 ends. With Team Mouat trying to force a steal in the 6th they elected to play a guard on the shot stone lying on top of the button leaving only a difficult angled raise for Grant Hardie. The shot was a success and saw them grab a 3 shot lead into the last 2 ends. Bruce Mouat was forced to draw for 1 against 3 in the 7th end. A fantastic final finished with another great shot from Team Hardie as Grant lifted a double to win the game with his first stone.

Photos: © Tom Brydone

For a more in-depth report go to Asham Under 21 Slam Kinross

KINROSS Asham Under 21 Slam, Kinross Junior Classic, took place on excellent ice at Kinross Curling

from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th October. The junior women’s final was contested between Team Murray (Katie Murray, Rebecca Morrison, Hailey Duff and Mili Smith) and Team Davie (Lisa Davie, Kirsty Barr, Anna Skuse, Emma Barr.) After the first end was blanked, the second end saw Murray take three and not look back. Davie was forced to play great draws in the 3rd and 6th end against two Murray counters but after 8 ends Murray ran out 8-2 winners. In the junior men’s event it was a close game which was decided by an extra end. Team Bryce (Cameron Bryce, Zack Stewart, Fraser Kingan and Frazer Shaw) prevailed by 4-3 over Team Whyte (Ross Whyte, David Baird, Euan Kyle and Gavin Barr.) The extra end saw Team Bryce lying two counters. Whyte nominated to hit with their final stone which this time swung too much and saw Team Bryce steal the Kinross Junior Classic title.

Report and photo courtesy of Hugh Stewart

For a full report and results go toGSCT Dumfries Open

Report by GSCT. Photo by Dumfries Curling