(Sep 28, 2009) -- The spectators at the KW Granite Club were treated to some exciting curling, but perhaps the best was saved for last. On Sunday night as 6:00 turned into 7:00, the two championship games were in the eigth end. On both sheets, last rocks were ready to be thrown, on both sheets red needed to steal one, and red was sitting 3 and the skips had no way to the button.
First in mens action, Dale Matchett would throw a heater for a triple and the win. He was only able to spill two of Jake Higgs rocks, setting up yet one more extra end game this weekend. Then two sheets over, Julie Hastings threw her rock trippling out all three Karen Bell rocks. The shot brought the crowd to its feet for a round of applause.
Over in the extra end the Team Matchett decided to ignore Higgs two centre guards and instead tried to beat them to the button. Throwing Higgs' final stone, Brent Ross was looking at three Matchett rocks on the four foot. The front end would drag that rock right onto the button, setting up a difficult shot for Matchett. The effort of the sweepers on this shot once again brought the cheering crowd to its feet. In the end, the day would belong to Matchett as Dale tapped his rock on the top four, pushing Higgs' rock off the button.
"It's been another great weekend of curling," said event organizer Andrew Kowpak.
"For two years, we've got nothing but positive feedback from the curlers. It's also been great to see more people from the community to come out and watch the games."
Local teams fared well in this years event. The always dangerous Darryl Shane rink qualified through the B-side. The young Mark Kean rink, playing their first full year on the circuit played the role of giant-killer, also qualifying through the B-side. Both teams were eliminated in the quarter finals. Other qualifiers were Kirk Ziola and Joe Frans on the men's side, while Brit O'Neill and Kathy Brown qualified on the women's side. |
