Howie Cup – Match Day 13 (Final Night)
All to play for, right to the end
After 55 games and 404 ends of curling, the winners of the 2018/19 Wm. Howie Cup were decided by the very last stones of the last game on the ice. Right up until the last stone, it was possible for five rinks to finish tied on 14 points at the top of the league.
David Mundell 11 – 5 Tom Reid
With only a faint hope of clinching a promotion spot, David did all he could and had to wait for other results. Having taken a four in the second, David scored 6 unanswered shots between the fourth and seventh ends. By the time Tom came back with a triple in the eighth it was all a little too late.
David Reid 12 – 4 Peter Barrett
Needing to overcome a 14 shot deficit to stand a chance of winning the league, David started like a man on a mission. Taking a deuce in the first end, he followed with a steal of three in the second. Peter interrupted with two singles before David again took a three and stole 2’s in the sixth and seventh ends. With news from the back rinks that both the top two teams were losing, at 10 up, David was briefly in virtual top position. Having secured a promotion spot, had results out the back stayed as they were, David could have regretted accepting the offer of playing an eighth end when Peter scored a 2.
Douglas Reid 6 – 6 James Whiteford
In the only game with no impact on the top of the table, James got off to a good start to lead 5-1 after three ends. In the sixth end, Dougie steadily built up a sizeable head, at one stage having five counters before having to settle for a 3. After stealing a single in the seventh to draw level at 6 each, the skips decided to call it a day and watch the final ends of the other games.
Craig Reid 6 – 9 Robert Wilson
Desperate to avoid ending the league with no points, Rabbie opened with a three then took a four to lead 7-2 after three ends. Unable to stop Rabbie taking another two in the fifth, at 6 down, Craig was in danger of being overhauled for third place. A single in the sixth for Craig and steals of one in both the seventh and eighth ends, secured the promotion spot for his team.
Hugh Reid 8 – 6 Gavin Reid
In the big game of the night, Gavin was trying to upset dad Hugh and sneak a promotion slot. With a 3 in the third and a steal of one in the fourth, Gavin steadily built up a 6-2 lead after six ends. With Craig Reid 5 down on the next sheet, Gavin was in virtual third. It was not so good for Hugh as David Reid (8 up after six) had moved into the virtual lead. This stirred Hugh into action, pulling back to 1 down with a 3 in the seventh and back into the virtual lead.
With the last stone of the last game on the ice, Gavin had a draw to the button against three counters for the game and, a five way tie at the top. With the crowd watching, Gavin’s stone came up short and wrecked on the guards leaving Hugh to win the game by 2 shots and the league by 2 points.