THE annual American visit to Kelso Ice Rink was the high point of the past week, writes Alistair Lindsay.
Twenty men came down from Inverness in good time to receive a huge welcome from a gathering of local curlers who formed a besom archway from coach to the rink. The much-travelled team came from as far away as Seattle, and then all points to Massachusetts on the eastern seaboard.
By the time they came to Kelso, the Herries Maxwell trophy was well and truly their property with a shots-up score nearer three hundred than two. On keen ice the Borders rinks were just nicely ahead of the visitors at half-time. Following this the can-do spirit of America gently came back at the home team during a gripping second half and the visitors won by just a couple of shots. Following the games there came an evening of great company, a magnificent meal from Joe Wright and his team, and then Tommy Hinnigan and Harry Dodds compered entertainment by home folk and visitors alike.
In the Masstock Border League there were four games, in which Duns defeated Selkirk, Yester kept Swinton at bay, Greenlaw held off a late run of luck by Lammermuir, and Kelso just contained Foulden in the toughest game of the afternoon.
Mid week was the opening round of the final Berwickshire competition, the Dickinson trophy, in which Coldstream 1 beat Earlston, Duns beat Greenlaw 1, Lees beat Eildon and Foulden 1 went to an extra end to put Ayton Castle out. In section two, Foulden 2 went to an extra end to beat Greenlaw 2, the President’s select beat Chirnside, Coldstream 2 beat Lammermuir, while the non-existence of Ayton Castle 2 gave Swinton a bye. Holders Foulden displayed great tenacity with both rinks going to an extra end to win their games.