This year the Swan (for the over 50s ) attracted its biggest field for some time with some heavyweight contenders in the mix eg Frank Forrest, Bill Mitchell and Jimmy Green --- all in the same rink would you believe ! Other contenders were Dave Lauder of Coldstream , Bert Duncan of Greenlaw, Alistair Davison of Foulden all of whom are to be found on the winners boards around the ice rink.
Taking the field in this illustrious company was our own Tony Betton. Miffed that he had missed out on playing in the Swan last year, he decided to enter his own rink (a good way to ensure a game) and assembled an all Duns crew in the shape of Colin Martin (skip) , Robert Lamont third and Allan Campbell at lead. In their first game, they were good winners against Al Davison, in the semi final they were well in command against Dave Lauder and so went into the final against the hot favourites Frank Forrest et al.
In the first end Colin had last stone and needed it as he drew against a bundle to take a 1. A splendid double take out through a tiny port by Colin at the second end cut Frank from lying 4 up to one down though he responded with a raised take out to take a 2 and the lead. Great stuff. Surprisingly (to the large onlooking crowd) Duns then proceeded to take control with Colin playing a masterly skip's role as the favourites betrayed signs of tension at these upstarts who were playing with confidence now. Finally Duns ran out winners to great applause from the throng winning score 9-6. A photo of the winners is available in our photos pages - see here.
Tony is supposed to be driving to Sheffield this Saturday morning but is still so high that he may well be flying down without a plane.
Well done the lads. Duns dings a'. You beauty.