Invitation Bonspiel Winners 2008-09 [L to R] - John F (2nd), Peter A (Lead 1), Paul R (Skip), Val A (Lead 2), Ann Close (Lead 3), Maryel F (3rd), President Eileen A.

The Opening bonspiel of the season took place at Greenacres Ice Rink on Saturday 4th October, on yet another grey 2008 day - (will the weather EVER improve?).  10 Bridge of Weir Curling Club members arrived for an Invitation Bonspiel accompanied by 14 invited guests (a new record!), to take part in an evening of fun curling, and perhaps pursue interest in the sport as a result.  This was the first such event to be held since Season 2006-07. Four teams each of 6 players were drawn, to be skipped by Paul R, David B, Alan W, and George E, with guests spread across the teams.  The teams took to the ice, where for the first 20 minutes or so the experienced players taught the rudiments of the game to the beginners in their teams.  All the guests managed a few practice deliveries and learned how to sweep the ice too.

The 6-end matches then started, with David's team playing against George's team, while Paul's team took on Alan's team.  With 6 players per team, it was obviously not possible for every player to play 2 stones at each end, so the matches were set up such that each player delivered 1 stone for 4 of the 6 ends, and 2 stones for 2 of the six ends.  The player's position in the team dictated which ends he or she delivered 1 stone or 2 stones.  So everyone delivered 8 stones during the course of the matches.  The match between David and George was a close-run thing, with David's team winning 5 - 4.  The match on the adjacent sheet between Paul and Alan turned out very differently, with Alan's team not getting any breaks, and Paul's team getting all the breaks going, to run out comfortable 10 - 1 winners.  But the main result was a lot of enjoyment for everyone.  After the curling, the teams adjourned to the bar for a well-earned drink.  it came as a surprise to some of the guests that, unlike in golf, the winners by the losers a drink - very civilised, if you ask me!  The dinner afterwards, if anything, exceeded the usual high Greenacres standard, with the smoked haddock being a particular stand-out.  After the meal, Club Secretary Fiona E, having been on the wrong end of the 10 - 1 match, in her own words, took "dubious pleasure" (although she smiled as she said it) in presenting the prizes to Paul's winning team.  Paul thanked his team for their sterling performance, and hoped that the club's guests would consider taking the sport up.  Club President Eileen A thanked George and Fiona for organising the event, and for getting so many guests to attend on the evening.  The evening came to an end with laughter and reminiscences of an enjoyable day. Thanks go to all club members who turned out on the day to make the event such a success.  Let's hope that some of that enjoyment will translate into new members for the club! The teams were :-

	Team 1	Team 2	Team 3	Team 4
	Paul R (Skip)	David B (Skip)	Alan W (Skip)	George E (Skip)
	Maryel F	Moira J	Fiona E	Neil A
	John F	Alister B	Les B	Dennis T
	Peter A	Guest 1	Stewart N	Mary T
	Ian C	Guest 2	Sheila F	Peter A
	Anne C	Guest 3	Margaret T	Rosemary T

[Click on the photo above to enlarge it - it may take up to 10 seconds to display.] © Bridge of Weir Curling Club - 2008