Casey at the Bat, fastball tournament in Williamsburg, May 24-26

 

Three teams of Morrisburg Curling Club day-time men were in Winchester last week for a friendly bonspiel where they reported the ice was fast and very slippery.

Jack Barkley, Ted Herriman, Earl Jeacle and Eric Johnson, as well as Pete Zeran, Karl Duncan, Gerry Thompson and Robert Martin won their games. The Winchester hosts eked out a victory against our third team, made up of Keith Brannen, Ray Benoit, Paul Gunther and Paul Dobry. 

A couple of their curlers fell, along with one of our men. Fortunately, all survived, and after a delicious lunch and a few stories, our fellows rolled south to our home club, looking forward to Winchester’s return visit.

Last week also, Alice Thompson, Susan McIntosh, Betty Locke and Sharon Van Allen left town for a day. They were in Ottawa, at the Riverview Ladies Club at the R. A. Centre, and reported that the ice was very fast and quite swingy. 

Their morning opponent was a Navy foursome. After figuring the ice out, and tied coming home, our ladies were counting four when Navy pulled a rock in to out-count them and take the match. After a fine meal in the restaurant, our team defeated Prescott in the afternoon and returned with very nice prizes. 

Like the McGann rink last week, our ladies were surprised with black-clad witches and other seasonal outfits. Our morning competitors this time, the Navy team, were dressed as bats, and won top prize for their costumes. These women sure love theme bonspiels! 

Mahlon Locke reports that a woman, from Cornwall, I believe, is going to try to organize a bonspiel here, perhaps in January, in support of Alzheimers patients. If she’s successful, we’ll get the information to you.

There is considerable information in the clubhouse regarding out-of-town bonspiels at various levels, for men and women, of interest to curlers in several divisions. Why not look them over, and try some of them? It’s a very pleasant way to spend a day, see other clubs, and a chance to make new friends. 

Arguably the best of the competitions is the Dominion Tankard, the O.C.A. Men’s Curling Championship, being held in Barrie from February 4-10. There’s information at the bar, and whether you’re interested in competing or observing, it’s always some of the best curling in Canada.

Glenn Cougler still has an opening for a local team in the invitational stick bonspiel. Check with him if interested.

More of our curlers are off to bonspiels this week, and we’ll report on those results next time.

We remind you that visitors are welcome at our club, and that it is open for rentals for special events such as staff parties and other activities, as well as bonspiels. It’s always wise to book early, as the club gets busier on weekends as the season goes on. Mahlon Locke, our president, can provide the details.

And finally, a note of thanks to our many sponsors whose signs are displayed at the rink, and who help our club financially. We know members and visitors will cultivate these fine corporate citizens’ businesses. 

Good curling, folks!

[…]

 

It was a big night on the course for Bruce Kerr. Men’s night last Thursday, June 25, was highlighted by Kerr’s eagle two on the 340 yard par four second hole, a score that had little trouble holding up in the skins game.

Once again it was Kurtis Barkley leading the men’s night field, this week with a two under par, 32. Second spot in A flight field went to Brandon Cousineau with a 37, while James Morrell and Kevin Whitteker got the nods for the low net wins.

Bill Collins shot a 39 for the B flight win, while Bruce Kerr was right on his heels with a 40 in second place. Net winners in B flight were Francis Barkley and Garry Whitteker.

In C flight, it Peter Elliot stepping into the winners circle with a 44, while Steve Summers was next with a 46. The D flight win went to Winston Muir with a 49. The C flight net winner was John Wrinn.

Bill Dejong struck the long drive of the evening, and Francis Barkley and Brandon Cousineau produced the closest to the hole shots on the par three, sixth and ninth holes respectively.

In ladies night action on Wednesday, June 24, Muriel Whitteker led the field with a 43. Mary Whittaker won B flight with a 49, Great McGann C flight with a 54 and Sue Alexander D flight with a 70.

Net winners were Sheila Bush in A flight, Joan Findlay in B and Cyndie Summers in C. Closest to the hole winners were Pat Reaney on six and Sheila Bush on the ninth hole.

James Morrell and Bill Dejong kicked off the week’s action at the Tuesday night Scramble with the low net win. Two teams, Christena Yelle and Kurtis Barkley and Brandon Cousineau and Bryden Van Kessell, finished tied for the low gross win with 33s.

[…]

After finishing the Men’s Roller Hockey League regular season on August 2 tied for first place, the New Blue and White Lightning met head on in quarter final playoff action Thursday, August 9 and again, it was tough to come up with a winner.

This time out the two played to a 4-4 tie in regulation time to force  a five minute, sudden-death overtime period.

Just a little over one minute into the overtime Lightning’s Brandon Buma produced the deciding goal against Blue goaltender Will McIntire on a Rob Thurler feed.

The game was close in the early minutes with the Lightning taking a 1-0 lead with just 2:15 left in the first period on a Dave Summers goal set up by Tyler Brown and Brandon Buma.

The Lightning edge lasted until well into the second period when Steve Mattice stretched it to 2-0 with help from Tyler Gallinger.

As the minutes ticked away in the second period, Aron Sherrer put New Blue on the board to close the gap to 2-1.

The Lightning, however, charged right back with Summers counting his second goal of the game to end the second period with Lightning leading 3-1.

Minutes into the final frame, Steve Mattice pushed the Lightning lead to a comfortable 4-1.

But it wasn’t over yet as New Blue came charging back.

Randy Markell got it rolling with help from Garreth Cochrane and Aron Sherrer. Then it was Jamie McIntosh setting up Cochrane for the New Blue’s third counter.

With four minutes remaining on the clock Connor Hodgson, with help from McIntosh and Markell,struck to even it at 4-4.

In other action, the Morewood Monkeys and the Red Rockets met head on to stay in the running for this year’s league playoff championship and in the end the Monkeys prevailed with an 8-7 victory.

Again it was a close encounter as the Rockets built a 4-3 lead in the first period on a pair of goals from Chad McMillan and singles from David Patterson and Chris Phifer.

Answering for the Monkeys were Tyler Jones with a pair and Justin Heuff with a single.

The Monkeys evened it 4-4 in the second period with a Tyler Jones goal assisted by Mike Thompson.

The Rockets got it back when Chad McMillan counted his third goal but again they couldn’t hold on.

Jake Byers scored unassisted with just over two minutes left in the second period to even it, 5-5 and set the stage for an exciting final period.

Early in the third, the Monkeys pulled ahead 7-5 on goals by Mike Thompson and Heuff.

The Monkeys were able to protect their two goal advantage until late in the frame when Chris Phifer cut the gap to 7-6.

With 1:05 remaining on the clock, Mike Thompson pushed it out of reach with the Monkey’s eighth goal. The Rockets got one more against Monkey goaltender Kyle Shane in the 8-7 loss.

With their win against the New Blue, Lightning received a bye into the league’s championship final scheduled for Thursday, August 23. The New Blue advances to play the Morewood Monkeys in semi-final action this Thursday, August 16. The winner of this game advances to take on Lightning in the championship while the loser will play the Red Rockets for the consolation.

[…]