Kootenay Savings Super League crowned a new champion last week as another season came to a close with three closely fought matches.
Teams had decided to play eight-end games prior to the final, and the Rob Ferguson foursome, with third Brian Lemoel, second Joe Ferguson and lead Marcus Partridge, took full advantage of the shorter game, scoring a huge three in the first end against Team Horning, then held on with some great shotmaking to best his old rival and be crowned this year’s Kootenay Savings Super League Champion.
Horning came back with two in the second, forced Ferguson to blank the third, and looked to tie the game with a possible steal in the fourth, but Skip Deane’s last rock guard to the top of the eight-foot was heavy, jiggling the four-foot stones around, leaving Skip Rob with a take-out for two, and a 5-2 lead after four. Horning closed the gap with another deuce in the fifth, and was again looking to steal, laying four when Ferguson calmly played a firm draw tap to count one in the sixth to end the threat. Ferguson made a clutch double in the seventh to force Horning to take one, then made an open hit and stick for a single in the eighth, to secure the Championship with a 7-5 victory.
Team Nichol and Team Castlegar Hyundai waged an exciting, down to the last rock affair for third place. The teams traded singles to start the game, before Hyundai Skip Rob Nobert made a delicate come around tap for three in the third. Team Nichol had to settle for a single point in the fourth, then Skip Myron made a perfect raise to the four foot that Hyundai couldn’t remove for a steal in the fifth.
Team Nichol junked it up for the next three ends, leading to more steals in the sixth and seventh ends, but couldn’t complete the comeback as Nichol’s last rock didn’t bury, leaving enough exposed for Nobert to execute a come around tap for two and a 6-5 win.
Team Fines battled Team Umpherville on swingy ice leading to a few misses and lead changes. Skip Justin Umpherville rubbed a guard in the first, settling for a single point, and the second, leading to an open draw for Skip Ken Fines to score three. Umpherville tied the game with a deuce in the third, then jumped back into the lead when Fines returned the favour, rubbing a guard for a steal of two. Team Fines were forced to take one in the fifth, then stole the sixth for a 5-5 tie, when Umpherville’s raise take-out just missed.
Team Umpherville restored their two point lead in the seventh, then ran Team Fines out of rocks to earn a 7-5 win.
*A special Times thank you to Richard Faunt for his submissions.