New Brooms in Season Opener

As the leaves turn and think about dropping, the new Moray Province Curling season commenced with the addition of 4 new teams across the Province. In the West second Division Ernie Nicholson’s Dalcross rink had some baptism of fire in a 14-1 loss to Gus Forbes whilst Fiona Steel’s experienced Nairn Ladies came from a 4-0 deficit to overtake Ricky Marwick in an 8-4 victory. In the Division 2 Dalcross Derby Jamie Cattell came out on top with a solid 11-5 win over clubmate Ian Thomson .
In West Division 1 there was a comprehensive demolition of Ally Fraser’s champion’s rink as namesake Mark shut out the title favourites in an 8-0 drubbing and Larry Kerr overcame club colleague Ali Asher in a 7-1 win.
In the East, Janice Rankin’s promoted Moray Firth Ladies continued where they left off last season, scoring at each of the first 5 ends before Forres’s Linda Hardie picked up a consolation 3 at the last end. Jim Gault and his strong Aberlour outfit were too streetwise for Andrew Allardyce with 3 counts of 2 shots as the Elgin rink could only reply with singles at each of their 3 scoring ends. Katie Gordon’s Juniors gave the battle hardened Elgin rink of Helen Downey a lesson, leading 6-1 after 5 ends before Helen picked up a couple of singles in her 6-3 loss
In Division 4 there are a total of 3 new teams including 2 from the Moray Gateway Club.
This is basically a club for new curlers who meet for coaching every Tuesday at Moray Leisure Centre and have entered the Province League for a taste of competitive curling.
These 2 sets of newcomers fought out a club derby this week and it was a case of the pupil beating the Master as Steve Field’s team got one over on Gateway organiser and coach John Key. Steve and co must have been cock- a – hoop to lead 5-0 after 3 ends before John picked up a 3 at the last end to put a less bitter hue on the scoreline.
Next week there will be an opportunity for all those interested in having a go , to attend a Try Curling session at Moray Leisure Centre and a phone call to M.L.C is all that is required to book a place.
Bill jaffrey