Three teams of our Thursday morning mixed curlers were in Russell last week for a friendly bonspiel. Ron Beaupre, Rick McKenzie, Denis Thibault and Cheryl Thompson made up the first quartet, and won their game. Our second group, Andy Patenaude, Alice Thompson, Betty Locke and Sue McIntosh played Sylvie Brault’s foursome, from the women’s team that won our local invitational. Third were Jack Dikland, Sam Locke, Bud Perry and Claire Locke, who lost their game 7-6 to Peter Romme, former provincial farmers’ champion, to make our hosts feel a little more friendly.
The morning mixed curlers had their final matches of 2011, and enjoyed their windup party on Thursday. Afterwards, they devoured a catered lunch from Subway and learned that the first place team for this draw was the Dave King foursome. With Dave were Sharon Van Allen, Dennis Thibault and Reg Coffey. Ron presented the trophy, refurbished by Doug Brannan, to them. A close second and third were the quartets led by Jack Dikland and Ron Beaupre. Ron and Jeannine Beaupre did another fine job as coordinators for this league, and we thank them for it.
Senior men’s champions for the Bowman Trophy were Sid Morrell, Karl Duncan, Bud Perry and Al Gowanlock. They broke a tie with Raymond Benoit, Ron Brown, Earl Jeacle and Dave Salsman for the win in this closest of draws.
The Thursday night competitive league curlers have fixed teams, and they choose a winner at the end of the curling season in March. As often happens, there’s a log jam at the top by the halfway point.
With nine wins, we have Dave Dolan, Henry Looyen, Al Harriman and Mary McQuaig. Nipping at their heels are Larry and Anita Cooper and Chris and Nancy Barkley. Robert Houze, John Wilson, Joe McCooeye and Steve Boucher were right in there as well.
Clearly, there have been plenty of tight and well-played games on Thursday nights. We’ll have to keep a close eye on things through until March.
The Friday night social league tends not to pick a winning team, but they seem to have the most fun. Rumour has it they are sometimes still at the club after midnight, perhaps unwinding after the pressure of their games.
On January 4, there will be a four team playoff for our two senior men’s entries in the Parnell competition in Cornwall, on January 6. Sid Morrell, Peter Zeran, Martin Schneckenburger and Jack Barkley’s teams will compete for that honour.
The Bernie Brunt Sr. Men’s Invitational Bonspiel on January 13, has a full slate of 12 teams confirmed. Jack Barkley is the coordinator.
Our Senior Mixed Invitational Bonspiel will be held on Wednesday, January 25. Dave King is the coordinator there.
Our little rockers finished off 2011 with a family bonspiel and a party. They expect to be competing with other clubs in the new year, and will be involved in the Big Four bonspiel with Russell, Metcalfe and Winchester, as will our bantam/junior league players.
The draw for the New Year’s Eve party and bonspiel is full. It’s been a while since we’ve had one of these. Let’s hope this becomes a tradition. See you next year.
Good curling to all!
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