The early morning start to travel to Quesada was soon forgotten as El Cid collected wins on 4 out of 5 Rinks against a strong Quesada team laying in 4th place and with home advantage.
Rink 1 saw Jim Howden’s team take early control and up 8 – 4 after 8 ends but picking up a 6 on the 9th put them firmly in charge and go on to win comfortably 28 – 10.
Rink 2 was a very tight game with both teams winning 9 ends but Clive Scott’s team having slipped back to be 5 shots down after 14 ends fought back well to take 10 shots over next 3 ends (including a 7) to win 20 – 16
Rink 3 was also close but Pat Metcalfe’s team were 10 – 7 down after 14 ends. Matching rink 2 they fought back to also gain 10 points over the next 3 ends to go into the last end 7 ahead. Fred Robert’s Quesada team not to be out done were holding 7 (yes 7) with both skips 1 bowl to play. Pat played a perfect bowl to cut the 7 shots down to 3 and as everyone held their breath Fred tried to take out the only El Cid bowl in the head but missed giving us a win 17 – 13.
Rink 4. Once again we were 8-1 down after only 4 ends but came back be level 11 each after 9 ends and the lead then changed a number of times but it was Jim Pavelin’s team who were 1 shot down going into the last end but El Cid’s Betty Anderson, Geraldine Scutt and Hazel Brown helped Jim to a 3 shot last end win and a 2 shots win for the game.
Rink 5 was our only losing Rink a poor start saw Quesada take a 10 – 1 lead after 7 ends. It was a case of trying to limit the damage and the second half was a closer game but ended with a good win 19 – 7 for Quesada.
A lovely carvery meal was enjoyed by all in a friendly pre-Christmas atmosphere. El Cid Winter League Captain Derek Randall thanked all his squad for an unexpected but thoroughly deserved win and an early present of 10 points to 2 to El Cid.
Next week sees us back down south to Vistabella on Tuesday and then home to San Luis on Wednesday.
Stewart Beattie
