Lanarkshire Province Knockout Final – A Game Of Two Halves
Well there we were (BJ BT JH AK) 5 up after three ends. Things were looking good in this 8 end game, if we could keep the game tight with Coulter (Bryce, James, Bill, Andrew) down to just a the odd one and we gaining one back for the remaining ends.
However, the wheels came off our wagon with Bill’s final stone in the 4th. A fairly straightforward (OT) draw to Coulter’s shot stone (back of (IT) T and on 4 foot). Thus forcing Bryce to draw onto to us for one to Coulter. But Bill’s stone came up short, leaving Bryce to draw to his own stone for a 5 – arrrrgghh!!!!
Blanking the 5th, we retained the ‘hammer’ in the 6th but allowed Coulter to steal a 1. (not really the game plan we should have won this end with a possible steal in the 7th or trying to force Coulter with a 1 and we take the hammer into the eighth?). Winning the 7th with a 1 we were now again ‘peels’ into the eighth with Coulter taking the hammer.
Our initial stone drawing to the (IT) 12′ wing, Coulter followed us. We followed but went long. Still trying to capitalise on the wing stone neither could gain an advantage, so with a change of strategy from Coulter – place their Second’s (Bill) first stone on the opposite (OT) wing. This came up short and indeed with very little draw ended up centre line guard. An opportunity for us. Draw behind the guard. This came off forcing Coulter attempt to ‘wick’ it out. Drew too much and took guard off. Replaced. Coulter tried for double (guard and shot stone). Guard only. Replaced. Guard only. Replaced. Bryce’s first stone to try and remove both stones. Again only the guard removed, leaving Bill with his last stone to guard or if long to come against the Shot stone. A bit heavy and ‘hung’ out to end back of T biting (IT) 4/8′. Not a bad position lying first and second.
Bryce now had a couple of options – a straight ‘hit-and-stick’ – tricky – if the shooter hit at an angle there was a good chance they would both go out and our 4/8′ would count?, or try and come off the Shot stone with a double onto the 4/8′. This was played. Shot stone went, shooter came across onto 4/8′ which then went back to a sitting Coulter stone and stayed. Shooter came off 4/8′ and moved back across house, but stopped just beating 4/8′ stone for a 1 and the Game.
Well done Coulter!
Till the next time?
Jack(;>J
(IT = In-turn OT = Out-turn)
Scoreline: 1 2 2 -5 0 -1 1 -1 = 6/7
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