Six teams took part in the Jack Thomson Memorial Cashspiel at Dumfries Ice Bowl on Saturday, the opening competition of the junior curling season.
Leading the field were Team Strawhorn who were defending champions, followed by the all local teams of O Carson and S Kyle, Team Farries were the ladies team with Hannah Farries and Kirsty Gallacher from Dumfries joined by the Greenacres sisters, Amy and Robyn Mitchell. Making up the field were Team Swanston from Forfar and Team Tonkita from the Borders.
The qualifying games started on Saturday morning with Team Strawhorn taking an early lead over Team Tonkita. This appeared to unsettle the Borders side as Team Strawhorn ran out comfortable winners.
Team O Carson had a steadier start before falling behind to Team Swanston who held a 5-2 lead after six. However, a draw for five put Team O Carson back in front and they finished off the game 9-5 with a steal of two.
In the final game Team Kyle ran out victors over Team Farries.
In the second round, with most of the cobwebs blown away, teams Strawhorn, O Carson and Swanston recorded victories.
The third round brought together the semi-finalists from the Scottish junior men’s championship from last season. The Scottish Team Strawhorn were too strong for the young Team O Carson. However, it was a different story in this game, with a big end of four in the fifth, enough to keep Team O Carson in front to the end. With Teams Swanston and Farries winning, five of the teams had recorded a victory on the first day.
Sunday morning saw Team O Carson continue their winning ways to secure a place in the championship final with a 5-0 win record. They were joined by Team Strawhorn with a 4-1 win record. The third/fourth playoff saw Team Swanston against Team Farries. Team Farries took the game to an extra end but Team Swanston used the hammer to good effect to secure third place.
In the championship match Team O Carson took an early lead before the start of a tactical battle saw three ends blanked by Team Strawhorn. The fifth end saw Team Strawhorn convert a chance to take two after a stone picked up from Team O Carson. Back came the young Team O Carson to take two back, before another blank gave Team Strawhorn the hammer down the last. Team Strawhorn secured their two with the final stone to retain their title.
Winning skip Jack Strawhorn thanked the ice team for some great ice.
