ON the Borders curling circuit the Harry Hogg Knockout competition came to its conclusion with two well-fought semi-finals, writes Alistair Lindsay.
Earlston defeated Ayton Castle and Coldstream beat Greenlaw, with Earlston going on to win, just reward for sponsor Graeme Cowe, who skipped the winning rink.
All who took part in this well supported competition are very grateful for the support given by Border Chainsaw and Lawnmower.
David Oliphant skipped the winning rink in the Duns CC invitation Bonspiel and in the Swinton Invitation Bonspiel, Alistair Hodge allowed his opposing rink only one end in winning the honours.
The Agrii Border League saw Coldstream beating Teviotdale, Earlston putting Foulden to the sword and St Boswells heading off a Roxburghe challenge. The next set of games were, with one exception, somewhat one-sided affairs – Lees went down heavily to St Boswells, Ayton Castle held off the Chirnside veterans, Glendale controlled Coldstream, but, amazingly, Lammermuir and Kelso went hammer and tongs to the last stone in favour of the hill men by a single shot.
The Auld Yins League is shaping up for a close finish with just two rounds to go and the outcome not yet clear cut.
Eildon club’s Bonspiel proved very entertaining, with a format that included two silent ends, two played with cues, two more in some other unorthodox manner and the final two played conventionally.
There is much to be said for introducing these variations into the game, especially in single-session Bonspiels.