Lanarkshire Ice Rink keep their cool to claim curling crown for first time in over 40 years

Lanarkshire Ice Rink kept their cool to claim the Henderson Bishop Trophy for the first time in 42 years.

The team of skip Libby Neilson, Nancy Rutherford, Maggie Ferguson, Mairi Allan and Mari Scott, were spurred on by a healthy home support from their own rink and comfortably won the game against Aberdeen 11-1 after six ends

Eighty-four teams competed at local playoffs to decide the 20 teams who would attend the finals and, after three days of league games across four sections, the finals took place at Lanarkshire Ice Rink in Hamilton.

The runners-up in each section play for the Cherrystone and Dumfries were victorious over Stirling in a very tight final.

The prizes were announced by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club ladies’ president, Maureen Parker, and presented by Robin Bishop, a grandson of the founder.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: “This was a well deserved tremendous achievement for these ladies playing on their home ice.

“The last time this trophy was won by a Lanarkshire team was in 1982 by Alison Allison so this achievement by Libby and her team was no mean feat.

“Congratulations to the whole team from everyone at Hamilton Ice Rink who were so enthusiastic in supporting the home team to success.

“Thank you to everyone involved in making the competition a success – the umpires, Stewart and Ice Kool Catering, Barry and his bar staff, Janette, the ladies’ committee, and the fantastic ice men, not to mention all 20 teams who participated in great spirit all week.”

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