League Hopes Dented, County Dreams Alive and Another Busy Week

Wednesday Afternoon Ladies

Courtfield’s home game against Caldbeck brought the result nobody wanted, with a 6–2 defeat proving costly in the league table.

On rink two, Joanne, Leslie and Aileen M faced Helen Reynard’s triple and never really managed to get going. At 11 ends they were 16–4 down, before a late rally saw them pick up a two and a five on the next two ends. Unfortunately, the revival came too late, with Caldbeck taking the rink 18–12.

Julie, Margaret K and Evelyn gave Courtfield their only winning rink of the afternoon against Mary Cowx’s triple. They made a strong start, winning seven of the first 11 ends to lead 14–6. Caldbeck fought back well and Courtfield only scored on one more end, but the early work proved enough as they held on for a 15–11 victory.

On rink five, Anne, Corrine and Gill were up against A Little’s triple and also suffered a difficult start. They trailed 18–4 after 11 ends, before finishing much stronger and scoring on three of the final four ends, including a six on the last. Again, the comeback came too late, with Caldbeck winning the rink 18–12.

The overall 6–2 defeat means Courtfield lose ground at the top of the table. Even an 8–0 win in the final game would now not be enough to catch Wigton on shot difference.

Not the afternoon Courtfield wanted, but the ladies will still be looking to finish the season strongly.

Thursday Evening – Carliol League

The A team travelled to Wetheral on Thursday night and came away with an excellent 8–2 win, keeping themselves right in the hunt.

Mr Chris, Lawrence and Hong Kong were involved in the game of the night. It went right down to the last end, before they ditched the jack to pick up three and pinch the rink in style.

Tayler, Ian P and Kev were business as usual, winning comfortably and giving Courtfield another strong rink on the board.

John B, Brian L and Carsy also had things under control, adding another comfortable win to complete a very good night for the A team.

The only losing rink was Ste G, Chaos and Lee, who spent most of the evening trying to work out the Wetheral green. The green had all three scratching their heads, but Ste and Lee were probably scratching theirs even more when they looked across and saw Dai standing on the sidelines while they had to put up with Captain Chaos.

The 8–2 victory keeps Courtfield firmly in the hunt.

A much-needed win for the Courtfield B Team, beating Stanwix 8–2 at home.

Still waiting for Stavros and Jean to get back from Norway with the scorecards, so that is all we have for now.

Friday Afternoon – Over-55s

After last week’s demolition of West End, Friday afternoon had a touch of “after the Lord Mayor’s show” about it, as Subscription arrived looking for revenge after Courtfield’s early-season win on their green.

We will start with the good news.

George Gray, Chris Slack and Dai Davidson were ahead for most of their game against Kevin Lightfoot’s triple and produced Courtfield’s only winning rink of the afternoon, taking it 16–9.

Ian Blenk, George Pape and Glen Robson were still 12–11 up after 12 ends against Lol Kelly, but the closing stages went Subscription’s way as Courtfield slipped to a 16–12 defeat.

Brian Lightfoot, Mr Chris and Mike Dewhurst made the perfect start, picking up five on the first end. Unfortunately, they were soon 13–7 down after 10. They nearly pulled off a late recovery, but fell just short, losing 16–12.

The final rink was one to file under “best forgotten”. John McLaren, Tony Raffles and David Graham led 2–0 after the first end, but only scored on two more ends all afternoon and were well beaten 31–5.

The final result was an 8–2 defeat, with Subscription taking the shots 72–45.

It looks like the Paul Daniels magic set may need dusting off before next week.

Stan Bragg League

Courtfield had to settle for a 4–4 draw on Monday after three very different rink battles.

Dave G, Dai and George were involved in a tight game against Billy Reid’s rink and led 7–5 after 10 ends. The match then swung sharply, with eight shots conceded over the next three ends, and they eventually went down 15–9.

Tony J, Ian P and Ian B were in complete control from start to finish, producing the performance of the night with an excellent 22–7 win.

George P, Tom K and President Dawes found themselves 10–3 down after eight ends, but they dug in and fought their way right back into the contest. They pushed Nigel Watsons trio all the way before just missing out 12–11.

A hard-earned share of the points in the end.

County Competitions

It was semi-final fever for Courtfield this week, with a mixture of wins, defeats and plenty of drama along the way.

Aileen W, Gill, Mr President and Ian B reached the semi-finals of the Mixed Fours, where their run came to an end against Steven Cook’s Workington four.

There was better news in the Senior Fours, as Ian P, Dai, George G and Kev overcame Ian Blenkinsop’s Whitehaven rink 24–14. For the second year running, Courtfield will have a team in the final of this competition, where they will face Aspatria.

In the County Pairs, the promise of live scoring was once again derailed by alcohol consumption and England. Chaos and Carsy took on Ian Gallagher and John Baird and made a flying start, helped by a superb five on the third end to lead 8–2 after four ends.

Unfortunately, they then went five ends without scoring and found themselves chasing the game. A strong fightback reduced the deficit to 15–13, but with shots needed over the closing ends, they were eventually beaten 25–16. A great run nevertheless.

Gill continued her excellent form in the Women’s Singles. She defeated Tina Smitham 21–18 in Sunday’s quarter-final before producing another fine display in the semi-final to beat Lesley Metcalfe 21–15.

A week of semi-finals, some wins and some defeats — but unlike England, Courtfield know how to make a final.