In August five local curlers, Neil Murray, Marjorie Christie and Katie Murray as one team, and Harry and Michelle Brodie who were joined by Wigtownshire curler John McClelland to form another team took part in the inaugural Hendricks Gin Quick Curling Social Cup at the Dumfries ice bowl.
What is this quick Curling.....?? well, here is a summary of what the rules are for this most enjoyable format
- Games are 55 minutes with clock starting on allocated game time.
- Teams will be notified 5 minutes before the game to allow handshakes, practice slides and team members to get into position.
- After 55 minutes no more stones will be thrown and the game will finish.
- If a stone is in motion when the time is up, then this stone will be allow to come to rest before score is taken.
- A maximum of two points will be available per end. (Could be sitting 4 but only 2 points will be awarded)
- When the time runs out, stones in a scoring position will count – No maximum score.
- Each player will deliver 2 stones per end.
- No Stones can be removed from play until the middle players first stone.
- Only 1 team member can sweep at any one time. (You can not swap sweeper during a shot)
- No sweeping will be allowed during oppositions turn.
- Players will rotate positions after every end. Lead, Middle and Skip (Skip moves to lead and other positions move up.)
- and the most important rule .... If teams are seen to be time wasting near the end of the game this will result in buying ALL teams a Gin.
This excellent event was run by Scott Andrews of Scottish Curling and sponsored by Hendricks Gin, which included a wee tasting session on the Saturday night hosted by the brands ambassador from Hendricks
A number of promotion videos for the event were produced by Hendricks gin and these can be view on Instagram. link https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ch2HdaTooGE/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
Team Murray and Team Brodie acquitted themselves admirably in their first attempts at playing this format and bowed out at the semi-final stages finishing in a respectful joint third place.
Report produced by Neil Murray.
Congratulations to the British Curling team of Jo Butterfield, Gregor Ewan, Charlotte McKenna, Hugh Nibloe, Stewart Pimblett, and Gary Smith who won the 2022 Stirling Wheelchair Curling International Invitational after a great four days of curling at the Peak, Stirling.
Full details on Scottish Curling website.
20 Canadian Curlers were welcomed by ĺocal Stirling curlers at the Peak where 16 Stirling curlers took to the ice to play the Ottawa Valley curling in 4 games.
Dougie, the ice man, had prepared great ice and was presented with a plaque and envelope as a thank you from the Ottawa Valley Curling Group.
During the game the Canadian curlers who were spectating at this game and Scottish couriers were given a tour of the NCA facilities as arranged the with Dave Murdoch, Head coach of NCA. John Heron, NCA Ice technician answered questions from our Canadian visitors and information relating to the building and ice preparation for our Scottish and British curling squad.
After the game, the Canadian curlers who had been playing were given the NCA tour and Dave Murdoch answered questions, Jennifer Dodds Olympic Gold medalist 2022, had brought her Gold medal in and our visitors were treated to photographs with Jennifer and her medal. She also answered questions from our very appreciative Canadian visitors.
The results of the games ended with Stirling and Canada both having won 2 games, and lost 2 games. Total shots were 26 for both countries. So a very diplomatic end to a very successful morning and enjoyed by everyone.
After the games and visit to the NCA 8 Stirling curlers joined us for lunch at The Gloagburn Farm Shop for lunch before we and the Canadian curls went onto Perth to play an afternoon session.
A big thank you to both Marcus Wood who initially helped with the Stirling organisation followed by Joe Kincaid who greatly helped with providing Stirling curlers from different curling clubs ( Falkirk, Dollar, Firth Valley Ladies, Kilsyth and more) and helping with the final details to make the morning a success.
Also thank you to Lauren from the front door cafe, who provided us with a welcome hot drink on arrival and refreshments throughout the morning.
This just leaves me to say a big thank you to you all again for all your help. The Scottish home curlers and our OVCT visitors very much appreciate all your time and company which led to a very enjoyable and successful morning. Best regards, Isobel Hannen