John Furey, John Wilson, Eoin McCrossan and Arran Cameron

A solid set of performances saw Paddy Power lift 1st prize in the Edinburgh International Curlers Gathering at Murrayfield, Edinburgh last weekend.

After winning their first game on Friday against China, as reported, Neil and Alison Fyfe then won 9-3 against a local team at the Dumfries International Mixed Doubles. In their third game they faced the former world silver medalists, Noreen and Noreen from Sweden, losing that one  7-4. Next game was another loss, 6-4, to the current world champions from Russia.

Neil in action…..

Neil said: “It was a close game. We were 5-4 down going into the last end and could have had them under pressure if we had made our last shot.”

The Irish duo then beat Latvia in their last round-robin game, ending up in joint second place with Sweden and China – but lost out on the draw shot challenge.

Well done Neil and Alison!

The team of Bill Gray, Jacqui Davidson, Ross Barr and Clare McCormick won the Irish Mixed Curling Championship after fighting off the challenge of James Russell, Ailsa Anderson, Craig Whyte and Katie Kerr over two days of competition at Greenacres Ice Rink.

With three teams entered, there was a round-robin on the Saturday, and after Team Kenny were eliminated with no wins, Team Gray and Team Russell played two more games on Sunday to  see who came out on top of a best-of-three challenge.

The mixed finalists – Team Gray and Tam Russell – at Greenacres

The last game came down to the last end where Team Russell needed a two to take it to an extra end. After some great curling from both sides, it was clear that Team Russell were first shot, but a measure was needed for the second shot, which went to Team Gray and clinched the title for them.

Results:

Game 1 Sat 10am Gray beat Kenny 5-2 RR

Game 2 Sat 3 pm Russell beat Kenny 10-3 RR

Game 3 Sat 6.30 pm Russell beat Gray 7-6 RR

Game 4 Sun 10 am Gray beat Russell 7-6 G2

Game 5 Sun 1.15 pm Gray beat Russell 6-5 G3

Great news from Dumfries where our Mixed Doubles Champions are playing, Neil and Alison Fyfe have  beaten China 8-5.

At yesterday’s closing bonspiel and AGM some Irish Curling Championships medals were presented by President Louise.

Firstly, Alan Mitchell received his medal for the Irish Men’s Championship 2016.

Then after the curling, Irish Mixed Doubles Champions 2016 – Neil and Alison Fyfe were presented with their medals.

And finally, the Irish Mens Champions for 2017, James Russell, John Furey, Arran Cameron, Eoin McCrossan and coach Martin Sutherland received their medals. (Craig Whyte was unable to attend).

Congratulations to them all.

Louise, James, Jen and Eoin

The closing bonspiel of the 2016/2017 curling season for ICA members took place on Sunday 13th March at Hamilton.

The winners were the team of James Russell, Louise Kerr, Jen Ward and Eoin McCrossan.

Results: Johnjo Kenny 7, Bill Gray 10; James Russell 11, David Whyte 3; John Furey 6, Alison Fyfe 12.