Perth Ice Rink 13th December 2003       Paul R, Neila A and Mary M sweep a stone in the match against Falkland       Eileen A and Bill I sweep as Sandy D watches the line in the match against St. Andrews       Sheila D watches closely as Fiona MacD and Janice H sweep in the match against Haddington

In 1996, Bridge of Weir Curling Club celebrated its 150th anniversary of R.C.C.C. membership.  The club got together with four other clubs also celebrating their 150th anniversary that year - Haddington, St. Andrews, Strathendrick, and Falkland - to compete in a bonspiel for the Balyarrow (pronounced "Bal-yarrow") Trophy.  The trophy is named after Balyarrow Curling Club, which was formed in 1840, but ceased to exist in the 1940's.  Round about 1996, former R.C.C.C. president Ian Turnbull discovered that the Balyarrow club minute books and medals were still in existence.  Ian and his wife Anne decided to keep the Balyarrow name alive by donating a new a trophy bearing the old club's name to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 5 clubs.  The trophy (pictured bottom right) is appropriately 5-sided, and has original Balyarrow medals pinned to each side. The first match was played at Perth ice rink on 2nd November 1996, with St. Andrews emerging as the winners.  The competition was so enjoyable that it was decided to repeat it 3 years later, this time with Falkland triumphing.  The second running of the competition was also a great success, so a little more than 3 years later, the trophy was contested again on Saturday 13th December 2003 at Dewars Rink, Perth.  Each club entered 4 teams for the competition, thus ensuring that every club played every other club.  The 4 Bridge of Weir teams who played are listed at the foot of this report.  People started gathering at the ice rink from about 12:30 p.m. onwards, taking advantage of the window seats in the bar high above the ice sheet.  They afforded an excellent view over the 8 games being played, and much comment was made on the extreme keenness of the ice. In the first session, Paul R's team had a hard fought battle against a team from Falkland, winning 8-4, and tying in ends 4-4. Meanwhile, David B's team had a comfortable 12-3 victory over Strathendrick finishing 7-1 up in ends scored. In the second session, Sandy D's team struggled against the St. Andrews team, going down 4-8 (3-5 in ends), while Sheila D's team had a well fought 9-5 victory over Haddington (5-3 in ends).

George E keeps on sweeping ... ... while Bill I takes it easy in the match against Strathendrick     Anne Turnbull presents the trophy to (L to R) David B (Skip), May R (Lead), Bill I (2nd). Missing is George E (3rd)     Winning skip David B thanks the organisers for a great day         The Balyarrow Trophy

 

With a final tally of played 4, won 3, lost 1, and a total ends won of 19 across the 4 games, there was speculation among the Bridge of Weir contingent that the club had a good chance of winning the trophy.  At the trophy presentation after the excellent high tea, it was initially announced that St. Andrews had finished in second place with 2 wins and 1 draw, so we knew we then that we must have won.  Anne Turnbull presented the trophy to David B, the skip of the highest up rink on the winning side, and a bottle of whisky to each member of the rink.  Members of the other three Bridge of Weir teams were then each presented with a half-bottle of whisky.  After much laughter, chat, and good company, the evening then drew to a close, with Bridge of Weir set the task of hosting the next competition for the trophy in two years time.

Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 David B (Skip) Sheila D (Skip) Sandy D (Skip) Paul R (Skip) George E Ron A Alaister F Fiona E Bill I Janice H Bill I (sub) Mary F May R Fiona MacD Eileen A Neil A (sub)

© Bridge of Weir Curling Club - 2004