Douglas Third got an unexpected invitation to play in a match against a group of Canadian tourists from the Ottawa Valley Curling Association on Thursday 10 November at The Waterfront.

The tourists were playing clubs from Renfrewshire 12th Province at The Waterfront, but due to call-off's from the local clubs a few days before the match, Dumbarton were asked if they could provide a substitute for Ardgowan Curling Club.  Fortunately, Douglas was available and offered to play.

Douglas' stated his day by joining the tourists, players and representatives from Renfrewshire province, for a luncheon at Gourock Golf Club, before heading to The Waterfront.

Douglas was placed into Team 2, consisting of Alison Clark and Wilma McIntyre from Gourock Ladies Curling Club, and David Burnie from Gourock Curling Club.  The tourists rink consisted of Carl and Lesly Wright, from Renfrew Curling Cub (Canada, not Scotland), and Bill and Kim Woods from Metcalfe Curling Club. 

The game itself was a very tight affair, with both sides trading singles in the first 2 ends.  Renfrewshire then scored another single for a 2-1 lead in the third end, before the tourists leapt into a 4-2 lead after scoring 3 in the fourth.  The hosts, immediately hit back with a 3 of their own in the fifth end.  The tourists responded with a single in the penultimate end to tie the scores at 5-5.

The final end was a very tense and cagey affair, with the hosts holding their nerve, and taking full advantage of having the hammer to score the single they required to win the game 6-5.

The occassion was covered by the local press, and unknown to Douglas at the time, the photographer sent by the local press recognised Douglas from a piece he covered a number of years ago.  This picqued the interest of the reporter, who later contacted Douglas with a view to feature him in a local interest story.  The story was published in the Clydebank Post, and can be read via the following link Dalmuir man using curling to help give his life purpose | Clydebank Post.