Disappointment as Grade 4s Lose Pennants Final

From L to R: David Gill, Tim Walton, Peter Tonoli, Sam Johnston, John Cumming, Chris Wood, Michael Macourt, Jock Currie, Joe Shofer, Graham Hancock, Kevin Latham (Missing: Laurie Wilson)

FINALS DAY 1 AT HARBORD BC

So the big day came and a clear, sunny day it was. There was a light breeze to remind everyone that we were well into winter despite the sunshine. There were three finals all in progress in parallel- Grades 2, 3 and 4. All the clubs involved were well supported and a good contingent of St Ives members (male & female) stalked the side of Green #1 at Harbord BC.

St Ives (or the "Saints" as the chant came from the side of the green) got off to the best possible start. After 16 ends, St Ives led 19 to 6 with all 3 rinks in the lead. Then the fightback from Harbord began; notably as John Cumming's team lost a 5 and a 4 on successive ends as the big board swung away from St Ives. Harbord's teams were fighting back on all rinks and by 32 ends Harbord had taken a 34-28 advantage and now only Joe Shofer's team were in front.

The green at Harbord was fast (18-19 seconds fast) and "home green advantage" took more of a hold as the games progressed. There were some heroic shots on both sides but increasingly things were swinging Harbord's way. Michael Macourt's team dropped a 5 on end 14 that put that side under pressure. On the next rink John Cumming's team were mounting a big fightback. So by 47 ends Harbord had a lead on the big board of 52-43 with John Cumming's rink now up by 7 and the only St Ives team ahead in their match.

The Harbord team could feel the finish line coming and they slowly added to their advantage in the final few ends. John Cummings's side finished with a 25-17 victory but Joe Shofer lost 21-14 and Michael Macourt 28-14.

So the Big Board showed a Harbord win 66 shots to 53. They deserved their win on the day but the St Ives team performed creditably.

Team List
Rink 1: Peter Tonoli, Tim Walton, Graham Hancock and Joe Shofer
Rink 2: Jock Currie, Kevin Latham, Chris Wood and John Cumming
Rink 3: David Gill, Sam Johnston, Laurie Wilson and Michael Macourt
Coach: Peter Larcombe
Reserves: Graeme Manning and Dudley Wrigley


Gerard Coggans 21 July 2018