Garth McQueen  01/17/2003 11:10 AM

I thought I better categorize these notes in case you publish them in the 
future. I could see them being a great filler at the Brier when the 
announcers are talking about our team's background (we will leave out the 
commonality between Bruce and Peter Townsend) (and no its not that they 
are 50).  

Mark, as you can tell, it was a magic moment for the team last night. It 
truly showed how we have grown as a team. It was a see saw battle with the 
lead changing back and forth.  Trailing 4-3 going into the 5th, we 
collected our thoughts ( I believe Mauro had dropped them some where) to 
mount a charge to regain the lead.  Nailing down a 3 ender to go up by 2,  
we realized that with the high caliber of competition, we couldn't rest on 
our laurels (even with George's extremely  callused hands - I think he had 
been sweeping more than just brooms).  With determination, we stole 
another point behind the strong play of the front end. This was an 
important play for us, as the other team fiercely clawed out a 2 ender in 
the 7th to pull within one. That set up  the dramatic finish that was to 
take place in the 8th. 

8th End

As usual  George threw up some deadly accurate stones but the competition 
completed a miracle (probably Hail Mary) shot that bumped one stone to the 
button under cover.  The only way through was with a perilous shot in 
between 2 stones (margin of error was in the fractions of an inch). My 
first shot was on the broom with proper weight. Clearly this one was 
destined for greatness, but at the last moment, it moved a fraction, 
glancing off one the stones. Recognizing I was capable of making this 
superior shot, the competition scrambled to cover the opening. But even 
that was too much for them because when finished, I still had an opening. 
Compensating for Mauro's Broom Placement,  the Sweepers ability, and the 
now narrower gap; I mustered a shot (with good sweeping) that found it's 
mark, bumping out the other rock that was on the button. A comment rang 
out loudly from the next rink on what a tremendous shot it was. I believe 
many rinks had stopped play to watch(I distinctly heard the skip say "it 
was as good as Sandra Smirller ever threw). From there, the back end were 
able to throw up some capable guards (but I must say, George and I had to 
sweep quite a bit just to get the guards in place.... work for the front 
end never ends). We won and now fear how our success may have distanced 
our ability to get to C Division. Oh, it hurts to be humble.

PS. Seems strange we almost lost....6 ends didn't ensure the win. Boy,, 
those old retirees can scrap!!!



Mark Pioli  01/17/2003 11:40 AM

Garth I obviously can not substitute for you anymore as only a female 
caliber curler can match your slow and inaccurate shots. 
"(I distinctly heard the skip say "it was as good as Sandra Smirller ever threw)"
Mauro has learned to  call your shots as if  a female is shooting the stone.



Garth McQueen  01/17/2003 11:45:05 AM

If that were true, I might be in IT today!!