December 19, 2014

Reminder about the Substitute Rules

Following a recent audit of the results for this season, by the committee, it transpires that two teams have now breached the substitutes rule 1.3 and as such have had a second entry added to the leaderboard as per rule 1.4.

The full GSCT rules are published on the website. These are reviewed by the committee annually and any changes will be advised on the blog at the end of each season.


1. Team Eligibility 1.1 Any group of 4 players will be eligible to play in SCT tournaments and be awarded SCT points.
1.2 On award of SCT points, the full names of players used in the tournament (including any substitutes) must be submitted to tournament organiser.
1.3 In order to continue accruing points on SCT leaderboard no more than six players may be used by one team in any given season.
1.4 On use of 7th player in any tournament, points awarded in that event will be listed as a new team on the SCT leader board.

December 14, 2014

Brewster Wins

Tom Brewster's team win the 3rd Kinross Open in an exciting final against David Edwards.


In the quarter finals Tom overcame Hazel Smith whose girls fought well to tie the game going into the final end. In the semi he then faced another ladies team led by Hannah Fleming who had convincingly beaten Kyle Smith's favoured side in the quarters. Tom took an early three pointer and, although Hannah pushed Tom all the way, the men made no mistakes in the closing stages of the game and won their way to the final.

David's quarter final against local Lee McCleary ended in a reasonably comfortable win for the Aberdeen side. In the last quarter final Lee's brother Ross made short work of Gina Aitken's girls. Like the other semi an early three to team Edwards was crucial. Ross fought back to level after five ends, before Edwards blanked the 6th and 7th and cleaned up to win the final end.

The final lived up to its billing and there was little to separate the sides throughout. David had the hammer in the last and was looking for a two for the game. The end set up well for Team Edwards with lots of stones in play.  With his first David played a good shot to remove two Brewster counters and lie three stones fully guarded. All seemed lost for Brewster who ultimately opted for a extremely thin in-wick take-out. Tom played it perfectly replacing the yellow stone on the button with his red. It was the stone of the tournament and a 1 in 20 shot by Tom's own admission. David was left with nothing. He attempted a flat double off a winger but it wasn't to be and shook hands. There will be new names on the trophy this year.
Thomas Muirhead, Hammy McMillan, Tom Brewster and Glenn Muirhead.

Congratulations to Doug Ritchie and the organising committee for running a very successful event.

All photographs by Andy R Macpherson www.AndyMacArt.co.uk.

December 13, 2014

Kinross Qualifiers

Section A saw Tom Brewster's rink dominate and qualify for the quarters without dropping a game. Gina Aitken and John Duff finished equal on points but it is Gina and team that go through on their ends tally.

Simon Grant of Team Duff showing off his new socks.

In Section B, both Hazel Smith and Ross McCleary's rinks won three out of their four games. Ross's local team qualify first with three more ends than the ladies.

Action Man

Section C was clear cut with Kyle Smith's team qualifying first and Lee McCleary beating Grant Barr's side to qualify second.
Stuart Stark and Robin Brydone go to work when Lee McCleary is light again.

In Section D it was David Edwards and Hannah Fleming that led the way. These two teams drew their first head to head 5-5, with Hannah leading on ends. However in their Saturday night game the  boys dominated and secured the first qualifying place.
Hamish Geyer, Alice Spence and Abi Brown not quite sure what to make of that shot.

Quarterfinal match-ups at 10am tomorrow are:
   Tom Brewster vs Hazel Smith
   Kyle Smith vs Hannah Fleming
   Ross McCleary vs Gina Aitken
   David Edwards vs Lee McCleary

December 02, 2014

Kinross Open

Summer 2014 has seen Kinross Curling Rink undergo a major refurbishment with new roofing, walls, floor & plant. In fact, everything except the steelwork! Players and spectators are therefore looking forward to some top class curling in this "new" facility next weekend for the Kinross Open (12th - 14th Dec)



The draw has been released and it includes a number of teams who are vying for the lead of the Goldline Scottish Curling Tour. Come along and enjoy the action!