The MacLeod Cup         David B's and Sheila D's teams shake hands before the start of their match       {L to R] Alan W holds the brush as John F, Fiona E, and Bill C look on       Alan W & Fiona F assess the position

The MacLeod Cup is played for annually between the two parishes in Bridge of Weir - Houston and Kilbarchan (writes roving reporter Maryel P.)  This is the oldest trophy in the club, and was presented to the club by Alexander McLeod of Burngill in 1892, when outdoor conditions were just right for the local derby between Norlanders (Houston parish) and Soulanders (Kilbarchan parish).  This season's bonspiel took place at Greenacres on Saturday, 10th February 2007. As usual the bonspiel consisted of two four-end games.  David B's team (representing Houston Parish) started off well, but Sheila D's team (representing Kilbarchan Parish) soon took the upper hand, much to the delight of Sheila and Fiona E, her third.  The final result was 6-2 in favour of Sheila, Fiona, Bill C and John F at the end of the first four ends.  At the same time Alaister F and Kenneth G were fighting a close game with Alaister winning by the narrow margin of 3-2.  In the second set of four ends, I'm told that Sheila, representing Kilbarchan, had a draw for the last end, but didn't make it leaving Kenneth to score two in the final end.  Likewise, David B had a draw to win the second four ends versus Alaister, and similarly, did not have the needed success so lost narrowly to Alaister 3-4. At the end of play for the MacLeod Cup the worthy winner was declared to be Kilbarchan Parish with a final score of +3.  The winning Kilbarchan team was skipped by Alaister F, ably assisted by George E (I'm sure I heard Alaister say that he would be pleased to skip if George allowed him 'to skip'!), Andy T (and how good it was to see Andy curling again with all his enthusiasm and cheerfulness) and guest Alison T.

Smiles all round at the start of the match between David B & Alaister F       Alan W and David B check out the angles, watched by Alaister F       Sheila D's and Ken G's teams line up for the post-match photo       Alaister F's team at the end of match (Guess who won the competition!)

The highest up team within the Houston Parish was skipped by Kenneth G.  His third was Billy I.  (What a pleasure it has been to see Billy so often this winter season.  Ewan T played second stone and a guest of Ewan, Carol B, played lead.  Thank you to the three guests for turning out and participating so successfully to make the evening such a success. Unfortunately the Committee forgot to locate the cup before the event, so the presentation of the cup will be made to Alaister and his team at the AGM (on Thursday, 26th April at 7:30 at Greenacres.) As usual on the occasion of the MacLeod Cup competition, the club was honoured to have as guests Kenneth and Sheila McLeod.  Kenneth was sporting a wonderful McLeod tartan sports jacket much envied by various male members around the supper table later.  After another excellent meal prepared by the staff of Greenacres, President Maryel P thanked everybody - members and guests - for turning out and making the evening such a success.  She also thanked Kenneth and Sheila for their faithful attendance at this bonspiel which represents Kenneth's family.  (It was Kenneth's grandfather who originally presented the cup to the club for competition.)  Finally, Andy entertained the assembled members with his digital photo frame showing us the photographs he had taken while curling and being on the winning team.  There must be a lesson there somewhere!

	HOUSTON PARISH		|	KILBARCHAN PARISH
	Team 1	Team 2	|	Team 3	Team 4
	David B (Skip)	Ken G (Skip)	|	Sheila D (Skip)	Alaister F (Skip)
	Alan W	Bill I	|	Fiona E	George E
	Maryel P	Ewen T	|	Bill C	Andy T
	Ernie B	Carol B	|	John F	Alison T

The draw was Team 1 vs. Team 3, Team 2 vs. Team 4,
                           Team 1 vs. Team 4, Team 2 vs. Team 6.

[Thanks go to Maryel P for the report on the MacLeod Cup, and to Andy T for all the photos in this report. Click on any of the photos above to get the corresponding full size picture - it may take up to 10 seconds to display.]   © Bridge of Weir Curling Club - 2007