Avondale Heather Six Rinks-- L.I.R. Monday 10th January 22 @ 5.45pm
This is always a major fixture in the curling calendar for both clubs
and after having a draw and then an interrupted match
(awarded to AH after just 1 leg) due to Covid,
it was good for EK&H to get back to winning ways
in both legs of this important inter-club match.
EK&H went into this match 3 shots up from the 1st leg.
Before we went onto the ice, Lockhart whispered in my ear.
That was concerning enough, but what he was telling me was worse.
He had done as instructed by our VP Margaret Brown,
and had called his rink to check their availability.
It's a pity he didn't put on his reading glasses,
as he had called James Strang instead of James Hair.
James Strang had confirmed that he was OK to play and he dutifully turned up.
The problem was, he wasn't due to play in Lockhart's rink!
So Lockhart had to play with just 3 players.
(I think Helen's 'problem' with the soup has now been surpassed!!)
However, both clubs had put out the 'big guns' to play in this match.
Well, we actually had a wee water pistol that had to be selected, as he was President!
As I said afterwards at the presentation of the Neilson Trophy,
you would have thought the match was sponsored by Weightwatchers
(now called WW for PC reasons) as the 2 Presidents (Jim Raeburn and me)
went from being heavy to then being light (with their shots), and in more than one end!
The dynamic duo of Willie Cannon and George Strang were teamed up
with the more 'experienced' duo of Willie King and Bill Gibson.
Maybe there were too many willies in the same team as,
after being 3-0 up after 3 ends, they collapsed to a 4-10 defeat.
George said that while he was picking up 1's,
the opposition, were getting 3s and 4s.
However, whilst that was happening, Willie Baird was doing his own version of Lazarus,
and after being 2-5 down, won 6-5.
Lockhart and his 2 colleagues settled for a 5-5 peel at the bell.
Eric Richardson was looking good at 4-3 after 6 ends.
It's a pity they were playing so fast, as they managed to get 8 ends in and ended up 4-6.
Steve Russell, who I think was making his debut as a skip in this match,
will certainly be asked back, after achieving a resounding 9-4 win.
This was mirrored by Jim Strang, who despite losing a 2 at the 8th end, won 9-4.
So after all that, it finished as a 6 shot victory for EK&H over the 2 legs.
After the meal,
Jim Strang was presented with the trophy as overall winning skip from the 2 legs.
Onwards now to the Centenary Bonspiel,
President Brian.
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