WIGTOWNSHIRE V STEWARTRY – HAMILTON TROPHY 08/05/10

First Hamilton Trophy match of the season was away to a new look Wigtownshire team at Stranraer. The Stewartry team was vastly changed from the original team selected, with 6 players absent from the manager’s first team. The game was quite a good game from a spectators point of view and a lot of good conversion shots played, unfortunately most of the went against Stewartry.

Across the green, Rink 1 with Scott Davies in his first game as skip had a very difficult start and was 14-1 down with 6 ends left a great fightback only just failed and he went down by 2 shots. This game was actually quite fascinating, after losing a 4 the next 11 ends saw only one shot being scored each end. Both leads were playing well and it set a very high level of play from both rinks.

Alan Davies also in his first game as skip, had a very difficult baptism against an in form “Popeye” Arnott. Both 3rds in this game played really well and when Stewartry did build decent heads “Popeye” managed to burn ends twice when 4 down with his last bowl, and then to further rub salt in again 4 down he played a short bowl onto closest bowl to jack and turn jack through to make a 3. As D-Ream sang Alan things can only get better.

Martin McClymont had another good game in his second year as a skip and was unlucky not to record a victory. Along with brother Alan, they pulled out some big shots when required and kept their rink going. Towards the end in particular Alan facing 5 shots against drew shot to change head completely and then Martin on next end facing 4 down burst head open with first bowl and   Lost a one on last to deprive them a deserved victory.

Alistair Herries also had a right tussle on his hands and while he was unable to get a victory, it was through no lack of effort on behalf of his rink. In particular his lead played really well to put pressure on Wigtownshire and this game turned on a lengthened jack when Stewartry lost a 5. But again no poor performances good rink effort.

George Brown and Stevie Johnstone were moved to cover for the late withdrawal of Brian McClune and battled on well to again post a good performance and after clawing their way into this match, they cruelly saw a lie of 6 disappear when “Pandy” drew a brilliant shot to make a 1 with his last bowl. This took a bit of the stuffing out of the Kirkcudbright boys but overall this relatively young rink (always an exception George), played well.

Team Captain Keith Shuttleworth also was behind early on then got back to level at 12s, this game always looked tricky on the outside rink and was tight through to last couple of ends when an unfortunate loss of a 6 put the result beyond doubt. Again though it was a case of what might have been for this rink. Young Ronan Crossan, Auchencairn, will learn from this game and I am sure that the experience of Tom and Bruce will bring out the best in him before series ends.