CIBC played Essex County at the weekend in County League action. The good news is that: overall, the shot count was a tie at 110-110. At home over the 3 rinks CIBC won 62-53, while on the away rinks Essex County won 57-48. Despite winning the home shot count CIBC lost two home games. At County CIBC won one, lost one, and drew a game. Thus, the result was a 7-6 win for County.
Playing at home CIBC skip Malcolm Stark, playing with Geoff King, Len Oakes and Martin Spence went up against County skip P. Brandon, M. Hinton, G. Parker and V. O’Connor. After 7 ends CIBC led 7-5 and after 12 ends, they still led (15-11). County then won three ends to take over the lead, (15-20). Starkers hit back, taking a 5 at the next end to level the scores. Unfortunately, CIBC only picked up 2 shots over the final 5 ends and lost 22-27.
Andy Smith had Brian Smith, Robin Piggott and Martin Hogg in his team. They played County skip M. Jackson, C. Flack T. Warwick and M. Rose. CIBC won the first 8 ends to lead 11-0. After 17 ends the led was 21-4. The final result was 24-6.
Playing with Dan Rodger were Ian Reeves, Graeme Walkingshaw, and Dave Hunt and they took on County skip W. Jackson. The home team trailed 3-6 after 7 ends but it was all square at 7-7 after 10 ends. County then surged ahead to lead 7-13 with 8 ends left to play. Although they won the last ends shootout (9-7) CIBC lost the game 16-20.
Away rink skip Ian Harris had in his team, Peter Leatherdale, Graham Heard and Tony Dale. Skip D. Dar, B. Staines, R. Cooper and S. Cooper were the County opposition. County won the first 3 ends and CIBC won the next 5 leaving the scores tie at 6-6 after 8. The next seven ends were mostly tight other than a 5 for CIBC and a 4 for County, with the scores tied 13-13 after 15 ends. Neither team were prepared to back down, the final score was 17-17.
Skip Mitchell Springett had teammates Mark Garrett, Gary MaCay and Jamie Coleman. In the County team skip S. Mahoney played with C. Sorrell, C. Watson and S. Andrews. After 7 ends County led 4-9. The CIBC guys fought back to lead 14-13 after 16 ends. The final 5 ends were all won by the hosts who won the game14-24.
Some games are tight, and players can lose their fingernails over the last few ends. Darren Deller and his team might fall into this category. Playing with Brian Finney, Kevin Smith and Nigel Jenner they came against County players P. Wilson, B. Amos, L. Wakeman and A. Eldridge. Nothing remarkable happened for 15 ends. CIBC led 10-9. They then won the next three ends to lead 16-9 with 4 ends to play. They may have thought the game was won when they picked up a shot on the 20th end and still led 17-11. The hosts got a 5 on the last end to come within 1 shot of winners CIBC.