Playdown Summary

And now...the end of the first half of "Team Bond Girls: License to Curl Renewed"

So this playdown didn't go exactly how I had written it. Like all good stories, real life is always so much more dramatic. "Team Bond Girls: License to Curl Renewed" already has a very Hollywood feel to it. Most of it was a blur, but here are the highlights.



GAME 1
GAME 1:
Team Bond Girls vs. Team Oregon


Thievery would be the one word to describe this game against Oregon. Team Bond Girls steal their way without the hammer throughout the first five ends gaining an 8 point lead. Eventually, Team Oregon finally gets into the game and on the scoring board with 1 point in the 6th and 3 points in the 7th. Unfortunately, it was a little to much of a deficit for Team Oregon to fight their way out of. Team Bond Girls has a great start to the competition. Final score: 8-4


GAME 2
GAME 2:
Team Bond Girls vs. "Shot Rock Girls" (aka Team San Diego)


It was a rough start with Team Bond Girls losing 3 in the first end and another 1 in the 2nd. Finally, Team Bond Girls got their stride gaining 3 in the 3rd end, and they tied things up in the 4th end. The girls in pink pull away in the 5th and 6th ends leading the score by 3. Team San Diego finds curling magic by completing 2 difficult shots, an angle take out 2 times in a row, to oust Team Bond Girls from shot rock position. They tie things up in the 8th end. Now, the ladies must play an extra end to determine the winner. After a grueling match, the Shot Rock Girls pull away with winning point. This game was a heartbreaking loss for the Bond Girls. Final Score: 7-8


GAME 3
GAME 3:
Team Bond Girls vs. Team Arizona (aka "flashy pants")

Team Arizona returns again to challenge Team Bond Girls for a playoff spot. In last year's Playdowns, they were the only team that threatened Team Bond Girls chances to move on to Club Nationals. After 3 matches, Bond Girls proved their curling skills, and beat Arizona, 3-0. This year, Arizona came prepared. Team Norwegian inspired "Shagadelic" pants clashed with pink and black kilts. It was war. Unfortunately, Team Bond Girls put on their fashion blinders and took the lead by scorning 2 in the first end and 1 point in the second end. Team Arizona comes back into the game scoring 1 point in the 3rd end. Team Bond Girls responds to their attempts with a 4 pointer in the 4th end. Team Arizona squeaks in a point in the 5th end. In the 6th end, Team Bond Girls secures their win with 2 more points. Despite the potential "fancy pants" distraction, the Bond Girls shook off the shock and curled a great game. At the end, both teams took a colorful picture together. Final Score: 9-2


GAME 4
GAME 4:
Team Bond Girls vs. Team San Francisco


This game was crucial for Team Bond Girls. If they win, they secure a spot to go to Nationals. If they lose, they must reschedule their flight home and play tie breaker games, including a back to back game with Team San Francisco. They did not want to even think about the possibility of losing. The Bond Girls start off well playing a cautious game and scores 1 point in the first end and jumps 3 more points in the 2nd end. San Francisco scores 3 points in the 3rd end to cut down the Bond Girls lead within 1 point. Bond Girls score 2 points in the 4th trying to pull as far away as they could. It was frustrating in the 5th and 6th ends where San Francisco kept scoring points again cutting the lead within reach. Team Bond Girls breaks free with 3 points scored in the 7th. It was a nerve wracking end as blue stones stacked in the house in the eight. At one point, San Francisco had enough rocks to maybe tie Team Bond Girls' score. 2nd to the last rock, Team Bond Girls miss their take out. It was up to the last and final rock to determine Team Bond Girls' fate. Marissa calls for another take out. If successful, Team San Francisco would run out of rocks. Marissa executes her shot beautifully. She takes out 2 of San Francisco's rocks and cuts down their shot rock count to 1. Final Score: 9-6


Team Bond Girls ends the playdowns with a 3-1 record, defending their title (Co-Champions with Oregon 3-1) for the 3rd time in a row. Both they and Oregon will move forward to the Club Nationals in Mankato, Minnesota which will be held from March 5-12, 2011. Good curling!

-Domino