A surging Team Fines looked to swamp Team Albo in Kootenay Savings Super League curling action last week.
Team Albo buffeted the Fines storm early as skip Darrin Albo made two double take-outs in the second and fourth ends for threes to go up 6-2.
Skip Ken Fines answered with his own double take-out for three in the third and after Fines was forced to take one again in the fifth, he stole a single in the sixth, then made a game-changing shot with his last rock in the seventh.
Without last rock and facing five Albo stones, Fines made a perfect hit and roll from the edge of the 12 foot to the back of the four foot, laying shot stone buried behind a wall of granite. When Albo couldn’t find a path to follow him in, Fines stole another, deflating the Albo team, and eventually winning 9-7.
The Nichol and Ferguson rinks went at it, but an absent Myron Nichol and third Garry Beaudry didn’t help Team Nichol.
Ferguson seized an early advantage stealing two in the first two ends on his way to a 6-2 lead after six. He stole three more in the ninth for a 9-2 win.
Meanwhile, Team Schmidt exacted revenge on a shorthanded Maglio Mens squad from an earlier loss.
Skip Desiree Schmidt made a delicate tap back in the second end to lay three, then a double take-out to sit two in the fourth, before stealing the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth ends for a comfortable 12-3 thrashing.
• The Trail Curling Club plays hosts this weekend to the Mens Region 1 and 2 Provincial Qualifier. Local teams led by Deane Horning, Myron Nichol and Brian Lemoel will be in contention for the two provincial spots against the likes of East Kootenay Teams Buchy and Shypitka among others.
First draw is 2 p.m. Friday, with final qualifying on Sunday.