ICA Glittertree challenge 2015

Glittertree 2015The competition for the best decorated Christmas tree in the ranks of the ICA starts now.

This year our judge is Olympic bronze medal winning curler Vicki Adams.

Email a colour picture of your tree to either louise.kerr@gallowaygazette.com or l.kerr871@btinternet.com or even clkerr1811@gmail.com

This year's judge is Vicki Adams

This year’s judge is Vicki Adams

All entries have to be in by 6pm Wednesday, December 23rd. The pictures will go onto the website anonymously, Vicki will then study all the trees entered and choose her favourite. The judge’s decision is final.

The winner of the ICA Christmas Tree challenge will be announced on Christmas Eve and will receive the 2015 Glittertree  and  a substantial prize.

 

Team Wilson looking to the future

Peter, Andrew, Alan, Conor and Bob

Peter, Andrew, Alan, Conor and Bob

The winners of the Irish men’s championships have an exciting year ahead of them with the chance to represent Ireland at the European C Division in April 2016, destination unknown – officially.

If they gain promotion there, they will have the opportunity to play at Braehead, Glasgow, in November 2016 in the B league. How exciting is that?

Winning skip Peter Wilson said: “When I came over to curl I had never even met Bob or Conor before! But we got the chance, except Conor, to throw some stones at Stranraer on the Friday before heading to Dumfries. I had played with Andrew and Alan before so that time on the ice together gave us a chance to sort out what the calls would be for weight and things like that.
“I was looking forward to the championships although we were the underdogs as the other team had a lot more time together. But we just got stuck into it, losing the first game narrowly. We were never behind until the last stone was played. We won the second game comfortably and game three was closer and went to Johnjo. In the fourth game we lost a three and then got a four back just out of nothing which changed the game right round in our favour going on to win that game.
In the last game decider we stole for four of the five ends – one, one ,one ,one. I have to say Johnjo played some great shots to not lose more than one in that game. I had a miss and a half shot in the sixth which enabled Johnjo to draw for a four to even up the game. We all played a very good seventh end to get a two then held on in the last end. I was very pleased for the lads at the end.
The plan for me now is to try and play a lot more as my curling has benefited from playing regularly. I have to thank all my team, Andrew, Alan, Conor and Bob, for playing so well and it’s a nice feeling to be an Irish champion again.”

Team Kenny review their performance

The dust has now settled after last weekend’s Irish men’s championships and playdowns for the European C League, so both skips can reflect on what happened at the Ice Bowl in Dumfries when Team Wilson beat Team Kenny 3-2 in a best of five challenge.

Johnjo, James, Craig, Arran, Eoin and John

Johnjo, James, Craig, Arran, Eoin and John

Asked for his thoughts on the weekend, Team Kenny skip Johnjo said: “It’s very disappointing always to lose. The guys have put in a lot of work and a lot of commitment over a couple of seasons now but over the weekend it wasn’t to be. There were a lot of mitigating factors of course, there always are. My continued ankle problem (which will now get an extended rest), James’ exams causing him to miss a couple of the games and John’s respiratory tribulations, but over the piece the other guys played well. Peter was solid throughout and skipped the team superbly and Andrew came up with two unbelievable shots in game four that changed the course of the championship.

“They were worthy winners and will do well in Slovenia I am sure, and, as you would expect, we will be supporting them all the way.” 

 

Mens championships – game 4

As usual the Irish men will play a fifth and final game after Team Wilson won the fourth rubber 7-4.

After losing a three in the fifth, the Wilson team came roaring back with a four in the sixth. They then stole a single in the seventh and the teams shook hands before the last end was completed.

The decider starts at 1pm.