Still on the Scottish

I enjoyed the BBC Scotland broadcast of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship tonight, just as much as I appreciated last night's programme on the women. I see that the latter is now available for the next week on the BBC iPlayer. The link is here. I assume tonight's programme will also be available later.

Robin Copland has written a splendid piece with his views of this year's Scottish Championships. Find it here, or link to Behind the Glass, on the right.

More from Perth

They are smiling in this photo, but I bet this morning the Hannah Fleming team must be feeling disappointed (make that really gutted)! The juniors (Abi Brown, Becca Kesley, Alice Spence and Hannah Fleming, with their coach Debbie Knox, above with their silver medals) lost in the final of the Columba Cream Scottish Women's Championship yesterday to Anna Sloan, their first (only) defeat in the competition. It was a fantastic performance, and in thirty years time when they look back at their successful curling careers, I am sure it will be a one which they will happily remember with pride, despite the defeat yesterday.

David Soutar, Scott Macleod, Moray Combe and Sandy Reid with their silver medals. Great to see an unsupported team reach the final. They could easily have been Bruadar champions, losing only at the last stone to Team Brewster. If those in charge of Scottish curling needed encouragement to pay attention to the whole of the sport rather than just supporting a few top players, then surely this past week has proved that our game has quality in depth and should be cultivated. Let's all try to ensure that the 'all the eggs in one basket' approach is consigned to history!

Here's Greg Drummond, Team Brewster third player, who didn't appear in many of my photos yesterday. He gets the last word.

So, that's it from the 2011 Scottish. The finals are set to be televised tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday on BBC 2 at 7 pm.

Tom Brewster, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow will now travel to Regina, Saskatchewan, for the Ford World Men's Curling Championship, April 2-10. Duncan Fernie will be their alternate.

Anna Sloan, Claire Hamilton, Vicki Adams and Rhiann Macleod will represent Scotland in the Capital One World Women’s Curling Championship, March 18-27, Esbjerg, Denmark. Eve Muirhead will be the alternate - and just that, not a tactical substitute. I understand that it has been made clear that it is Anna's team, and they will not need to be looking over their shoulders if they have a bad game.

I'm looking forward now to being back at the Dewar's Centre in a couple of weeks for the World Junior Curling Championships when of course Eve, Anna, Vicki and Rhiann will be playing together for Scotland then. Alice Spence from Team Fleming is their alternate at Perth. See you there?

Photos © Skip Cottage

The WINNERS

L-R: Rhiann Macleod, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton and Anna Sloan, Columba Cream Scottish Women's Curling Champions 2011.

L-R: Michael Goodfellow, Scott Andrews, Greg Drummond and Tom Brewster, Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Champions 2011.

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar Men's Final: Post 2

Tom Brewster is Scottish Champion! How long have I waited to be able to say that.

Tom Brewster, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow won the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship this afternoon, beating the Sandy Reid team at the last stone!

Tom Brewster's side came up against Moray Combe (4th), Sandy Reid (skip), Scott Macleod and David Soutar in the final this afternoon. That's Tom Brewster above.

It didn't begin as a 'classic' final. Brewster missed an open draw for a third stone at the second and only counted two to keep the teams level. At the fifth, Sandy was one shot in front.

The linescore is here.

Team Brewster took the initiative with a two at the sixth, and going down the ninth held a one shot lead. Moray just had to hit an open Brewster stone on the nose for two, but it curled away, he barely got a piece of it, and only one went on the board. Score 4-4 after nine, Brewster with last stone in the tenth.

Tom faced two Reid stones when he came to play his last. He elected to draw, and his stone, well looked after and swept by his team, finished on the button!

Moray Combe who plays last stones for the Sandy Reid team.

David Soutar and Scott Macleod sweep.

Tom Brewster on screen as his team sweep.

Here is the Brewster front end again, Michael Goodfellow and Scott Andrews.

"What's that you're saying, Scott?"

"I told you in the round robin, go sit in your corner!"

David Soutar, Moray Combe and Scott Macleod.

Scott Macleod watches the line of his stone, Michael Goodfellow and Scott Andrews behind.

Team seamstress, Margaret Cairns. Margaret and Ladies' Branch President Brenda Macintyre made sure that the sponsor's crests would not fall off the finalists' clothing during the televised match.

Caption needed!

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar Men's Final: Post 1

Tom Brewster, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow are up against Moray Combe (4th), Sandy Reid (skip), Scott Macleod and David Soutar in the final of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship this afternoon.

Follow the linescore here, and the webcast here.

Photo © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: The Semi

David Murdoch, Warwick Smith, Glen Muirhead and Ross Hepburn had beaten Logan Gray's team in the Page 3-4 game of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship earlier today. Now, to claim a place in the final, they had to beat Tom Brewster, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow, who had lost the Page 1-2 game against Sandy Reid.

There was little between the teams and the score was tied 3-3 after seven ends. Thanks to a two at the second, Team Murdoch always held the advantage, with Brewster just waiting for a mistake. Which never came.

Tom drew against three for a single in the ninth, the teams tied then coming down the tenth, Murdoch with the hammer.

Two stones to come, one guard in play. Tom - perfect weight - lies shot on the tee, but not fully hidden. The game should be Murdoch's ....... He takes plenty ice for a delicate tap back, plays just too heavy, his stone slips past the Brewster shot, and the game is over. What did I say a line or two back about waiting for a mistake? Who would have thought it would come on last stone!

It will be the Tom Brewster and Sandy Reid teams which will contest tomorrow's final.

The linescore is here.

Michael Goodfellow and Scott Andrews ready to sweep with Tom Brewster delivering is © Skip Cottage.

Bruadar: First Page Games

Let's start with the Page 3-4 game, because the loser is out, and takes no further part in the competition. David Murdoch, Warwick Smith, Glen Muirhead and Ross Hepburn were against
Logan Gray, Alasdair Guthrie, Lindsay Gray and Iain Stobo who had come through two tiebreaker games.

A steal at end 4 saw Murdoch's team take the initiative, and when they counted another single against the head in the seventh, they had the game in the bag. Team Murdoch will now meet the loser of the Page 1-2 (see below) in the semi tonight.

That's Logan Gray in front in the photo above. The linescore is here.

David Murdoch

Logan Gray

The Page 1-2

The Page 1-2 matched Tom Brewster (pic above), Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow against Sandy Reid (skip), Moray Combe (fourth), Scott Macleod and David Soutar.

This one went to the wire, the teams tied coming down the tenth, the Reid team holding the last stone. Brewster got behind the lone guard with his last, forcing Moray Combe to draw the four foot.... and he did. The linescore is here.

Team Brewster faces Murdoch in the semi tonight at 20.00.

Moray Combe

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: Tiebreaker 2

"Duncan Fernie makes traditional Japanese greeting to Logan Gray during tiebreaker third end."

Perth, Saturday
Duncan Fernie, David Edwards, Richard Woods and Colin Campbell were against Logan Gray, Alasdair Guthrie, Lindsay Gray and Iain Stobo this morning in the second round of tiebreakers at the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship at the Dewar's Rinks in Perth. Awaiting the winner is David Murdoch's side in the Page 3-4 this afternooon when Tom Brewster and Sandy Reid will contest the Page 1-2.

Fernie posted a big three in the third end and was one ahead at the fifth. Logan got the steal in the ninth to send the teams down the tenth with the score tied at 6-6. Duncan had a hit for the game - with no margin or error - but he came down just wide, and his stone rolled an inch too far leaving the second Gray counter as shot.

The linescore is here.

It will be Logan Gray v David Murdoch in the Page 3-4.

This of course is pub quiz material, "Can a measurement be made DURING an end of play in a curling game?" The rules do say that no stone shall be measured by instrument until the last stone of the end has come to rest except by the umpire when requested by a skip to decide whether or not a stone is in play. Here's umpire Gifford Rickard doing just that.

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: First Tiebreakers

McMillan v Fernie: Team Fernie always seemed in command of this one and at one point led 6-2. Duncan with David Edwards, Richard Woods and Colin Campbell were clinical in the tenth, two ahead. But Hammy would not give up, bumping up a frozen stone lying OUT of the house and rolling it in, and the shooter, so Duncan faced two with his last. But Fernie wasn't going to miss an open one to allow his team to progress to the second tiebreaker - 10.00 tomorrow - make that today, Saturday.

Hare v Gray: Close, hard fought. The teams were tied 3-3 after seven ends. It went to an extra with Logan holding last stone. He had to play one of the most important shots of his life, a delicate takeout past the guard. And he made it. Gray and his team of Alasdair Guthrie, Lindsay Gray and Iain Stobo will face Fernie today, the winner up against Murdoch in the Page 3-4.

Enthralling stuff! The linescores are here.

All credit to the fans (also known as 'the night shift') still watching the tiebreakers as the clock neared midnight. All of them secretly hoping for an appearance of the Dewar's bat!

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: Draw 9

That's Hammy McMillan against Logan Gray, with Duncan Fernie and Tom Brewster on the sheet behind. It was the final round robin games of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship this evening.

Brewster was on a 7-1 win-loss record, and by beating Fernie moved to 8-1, and Team Brewster is in the Page 1-2 game. Fernie was 5-3, so finishes the round robin on five wins and four losses.

McMillan (on 4-4) beat Gray (on 5-3), so both these teams are now on five wins and four losses.

Reid (on 5-3) beat Murdoch (6-2), and that result leaves both these teams on a final record of 6-3. Because Sandy's team beat Murdoch, they are ranked higher and will finish in second place in the rankings, and will meet Tom Brewster in the Page 1-2. Murdoch ranks third.

That all meant that three teams were tied for the fourth spot, as we waited for the Hare-Shaw game to finish. Frazer Hare was two up coming home and duly completed what was necessary. Team Hare also finished the round robin with a 5-4 record. That makes four teams - McMillan, Gray, Fernie and Hare - all on five wins.

Two rounds of tiebreakers beckon for the fourth playoff place! Once I've found out who plays who and when, I'll update this post here.

Here's the UPDATE: The four teams were ranked as follows. Logan Gray was worst of the four having lost to Hare, Fernie and McMillan. These three were ranked on their average draw shot distance, and Hare had the best. So it will be Hare v Gray, and Fernie v McMillan at 21.30 this evening, and the second tiebreaker at 10.00 tomorrow. Hope that is clear. I'm just unpacking my sleeping bag and getting settled. Just as well I like the Dewar's Centre, it's almost been pointless paying for a hotel room this week!

One positive. There's every chance someone might see the bat tonight!

Photo © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: Draw 8

Going into the penultimate round robin games at the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship today, Tom Brewster topped the standings on six wins, with Duncan Fernie, Sandy Reid and David Murdoch all on five wins. Logan Gray and Hammy McMillan were on four wins.

All the scores are here.

Brewster continued his winning ways by defeating Lee McCleary. Team Brewster sits on top of the pile now with seven wins, one round of games remaining.

Murdoch (that's his team in the pic above - Ross Hepburn's stone, Warwick Smith and Glen Muirhead sweeping) played out a close one against Hammy McMillan, the teams tied after nine. Murdoch played a hit, tight past the guard, for the win, and now has six wins.

Duncan Fernie was one behind coming home against the Graham Shaw team with David Hay again skipping. Team Fernie lay three when David went to play his last, but he coolly plunked it on top of the Fernie shot for the win. Duncan Fernie's team stays on five wins.

So what about the Logan Gray - Sandy Reid game. Here, David Soutar and Scott Macleod sweep Sandy Reid's stone. It wasn't to be their game though, as Logan strode to an 8-5 win. Gray's team are now on five wins, the same as Reid.

"Bless this stone........ " Moray Combe and Sandy Reid.

In summary, Brewster 7-1 (wins-losses), Murdoch 6-2, Reid, Fernie, and Gray 5-3, McMillan and Hare 4-4, Black and Shaw 2-6, McCleary 0-8. All to play for in the final round which matches Shaw and Hare, McMillan and Gray, Fernie and Brewster, and Murdoch and Reid.

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: Draw 7

Tonight's game in the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship was the seventh of the round robin games. Above is the situation before the games.

Fernie played Murdoch, the latter winning this one. Murdoch moves to five wins, Fernie stays on five.

Brewster was against Gray, and had to steal the tenth and the extra to win. Team Brewster is now top of the pile on six wins. Gray stays on four.

Reid faced Black, and won. Team Reid moves to five wins.

This matchup of McMillan against Hare was a crucial game, both teams on three wins. Hammy got the jump with a three at the eighth and was one up with the hammer coming home. Frazer stole the tenth though, and it was in to an extra. Hammy skinned out a Hare stone with his first, then cleared away a partially hidden counter with his last. Team McMillan now has four wins.

There was another pairing on the ice tonight. Neither Graham Shaw nor Lee McCleary had a win to their name. The Shaw four had shuffled the pack and Dave Hay took over as skip, Robin Niven continued as lead, Graham Shaw threw second and Brian Binnie was third.

So who won the 'battle for the bottom' (as it were)? It was all over after six, David (above) skipping his team to an easy victory on the night.

Two more rounds to go tomorrow, Friday. First games for the men have been pushed back to a 12.30 start, to accommodate the women's postponed games which will go on at 09.00. Then it will be the top four contesting page playoffs on Saturday and Sunday for the Bruadar Scottish Men's title.

The official results are all here.

Photos © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: Draw 6

Here are the standings boards at the Dewar's Centre. You should be looking at the left panel, showing the rankings after five round robin games in the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship. This afternoon was the sixth round.

Brewster v McMillan and Murdoch v Gray were both big games at the top of the table. Brewster won his match despite controversy in the eighth when McMillan picked up a three. The problem appeared to arise when a stone was touched in the house. Of course, I was looking the other way, and didn't see it happen! So, sorry I cannot elaborate further. Anyway, Brewster got two back in the ninth and stole the tenth.

Logan Gray beat David Murdoch.

Duncan Fernie won over Sandy Reid, and Team Fernie sits on top of the pile with Brewster with three more games to play in the round robin.

All the results and standings can be found here.

The Lee McCleary team were still looking for their first win. Here they are playing their 'last stone draw' before their match against Frazer Hare.

Sadly though, they remain winless, losing to the Duncan Fernie team this afternoon. And here's the 'rogues' gallery' set of team pics:

Skip Lee McCleary

Third Robbie Stevenson

Second Ross McCleary

Lead Hugh Thomson

Photos © Skip Cottage

Rescue at Perth

This is the face of a curler looking pleased, and embarrassed, all at the same time. It's Sandy Reid.

Sandy was warming up before a big game in the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship this afternoon, and his kipper flew off. It flew high.... and higher, eventually lodging on the ledge outside the lounge window way above his head! Much to his embarrassment.

Now the sport of curling does rank fairly high on the list of 'Top Hundred Things You Can Do with a Brush'! Here's another. Take one large curler (in this case opposition skip Duncan Fernie) and a large brush, a bit of wiggling around.....

... and a rescue of the wayward kipper was duly accomplished. Happiness is having your kipper back again (top photo).

You really can't make it up! First bats, now flying kippers. I really wonder what's next.

Photos © Skip Cottage

Italian Sauce and Batty Bat

I'm tired this morning, really really tired. It may only be the fourth day of the Columba Cream Scottish Women's Curling Championship - and the curling as interesting (and noisy) as ever - but I just want to go to my bed. You see I've been up all night chasing THE story of the week.

It all started when I noticed this white bucket sitting innocently on the carpet between sheets 4 and 5. I just assumed it might be there to catch an odd stray drip from the ceiling. But no.

It's there to feed the bat. NO WAY, I thought. But apparently nocturnal visitors to the Dewar's Rinks are not infrequent.

What to do? Well last night, when everyone had gone home, I emerged from my hiding place under the media table and set myself up for a vigil with my camera!

I confess it was a lonely uncomfortable night. But rewarding .......

This has to be my photos of the year! I'm even thinking of entering it into the Royal Club's photos competition, see here.

Mind you, I'm wondering if I might have been set up? Could it all be diversification by the centre management to offer wildlife tours in the future? Certainly increased ticket sales are in prospect for the World Junior Championships if visitors could be assure of a 'wildlife experience' during the week. (For details of tickets click the event logo on the right.)

Wait a minute though. Head ice tech Paul Martin has apparently never seen the bat himself, although his staff have. Could it simply be that Paul is BATMAN?

Or maybe Robin?

Pics © Skip Cottage

Bruadar: Draw 5

Draw 5 of the Bruadar Scottish Men's Curling Championship, the end of the third day of the event. Here's David Ramsay, coach to Team Fernie, at the fifth end break. Fernie, undefeated in four outings, is involved in a tight game against Frazer Hare as I write this.

Duncan delivers, with Richard Woods and Colin Campbell the sweepers. You can see how the game finished by checking out the results, and standings, here.

Graeme Black's side had a good win, at an extra end, against Hammy McMillan last night, but tonight it was an early bath when they came up against Tom Brewster's side. Here is the spotlight on the youngest team at Perth this week.

Skip Graeme Black

Third Kyle Waddell

Second Peter Macintyre

Lead Craig Waddell, at 16, the youngest player on the ice.

Photos © Skip Cottage