Curling Chatter - by Steve Thompson

MORRISBURG–Susan McIntosh, Wendy Casselman, and Claire and Paula Locke recently entered the Russell Ladies’ Bonspiel. They first played an R.A. team and then a foursome from the Navan rink. Their second match was a tight one, but they enjoyed the day and the wonderful meal for which the Russell hosts are note

Some of our senior ladies journeyed to Prescott last week for another day of friendly curling. With several away on holidays or under the weather, the numbers were down, but Susan McIntosh, Kathy Gurnhill, Rosemary Laurin, Greta McGann, Claire Locke and Alice Thompson enjoyed the event and the desserts and socializing that followed. The Prescott ladies will come to Morrisburg next month for their final meeting of the year.

In senior men’s curling, Wally McDonald, Dave King, John Dalrymple and John Walsh won the Bowman Trophy. The seniors are now competing for the final trophy of the year in their league.

Last Wednesday, the Morrisburg club hosted the senior men’s Sullivan Bonspiel. Sid Morrell and his committee ran an excellent event, with numerous volunteers inside and outside the lounge to cater to the players’ needs and provide an excellent lunch and a fine dinner.

Our two teams played well. Sid Morrell, Raymond Benoit, Neil Williams and Al Harriman won their first match against a Metcalfe team, and Sid’s second game was another victory against a Winchester rink, propelling them to the evening “A” final.

In the second draw, Pete Zeran, Gerry Thompson, Rick McKenzie and George Rutley dropped their first game to a Winchester foursome, and then lost a hard-fought battle to Russell, eliminating them from the evening “B” final.

After a banquet and a brief business meeting, Russell defeated one Metcalfe team in the “B”, while Sid Morrell’s foursome finished off the other Metcalfe quartet in four ends. Russell’s Jim Sullivan’s trophy went to the Morrisburg “A” champions, and next year Russell will host this popular bonspiel.

On Friday, the much-delayed former Robbie Burns/Hughie Hutchison Bonspiel, was held. All senior men’s teams competed in two six-end games. 

It was Jack Barkley against Wally McDonald, Sid Morrell vs. Eric Orgee, Bob Bedingfield against Keith Brannen, Don O’Brien played Gerry Thompson and Pete Zeran against Jack Dikland in the initial matches. Then the teams played a second match after lunch. 

Total points decided the winners, Sid Morrell, Doug Brannan, Karl Duncan and Doug Jarvis. Don O’Brien’s foursome took second place, while Eric Orgee and his team finished third.

Last Saturday and Sunday, the Ontario Curling Association’s Zone 1 Open and Senior Mixed playdowns were held at Morrisburg. Curlers tell us the ice ran true and very fast, courtesy of Wally Baker, our hard-working iceman. There were no local teams entered. 

In the Senior Mixed, the Ottawa Curling Club’s Denis won the “A” title, while Cousineau from Russell defeated McKay from Maxville in the “B” final. 

In Open competition, O.C.C.’s Latimer is the “A” champion, while in “B”, Cornwall’s Baker defeated Homan of the O.C.C. The two winners in each division will now compete at the Regional level in March in Smiths Falls and the two winners there will advance to the Provincial finals in Guelph in April. 

Hopefully next year we’ll have teams entered from our own club.

That’s all for now. 

Good curling to all!