Nova Scotia Opens with a victory

The host province kicked off the 2011 World Financial Group Canadian Senior Women’s Championship with an impressive 8-4 win over Prince Edward Island in the opening draw. Nova Scotia’s Nancy Delahunt, two time world women’s champion, skips the foursome with Colleen Jones delivering last stones.
Colleen Jones, Nancy Delahunt, Marsha Sobey, Sally Saunders

Colleen Jones, Nancy Delahunt, Marsha Sobey, Sally Saunders

In other first round women’s play, 2007 Canadian and 2008 World Seniors champion Diane Foster of Alberta stopped Newfoundland & Labrador’s Laura Phillips 6-3; Ontario’s Joyce Potter, the 2005 Canadian Senior champion and 2006 World Seniors silver medallist, edged Quebec’s Odette Trudel 6-4; rookie skip Deborah Popovic of the Fort Garry Curling Club in Winnipeg, MB stole a single in the 10th to stun New Brunswick’s Heidi Hanlon; Saskatchewan’s Delores Syrota stopped Northern Ontario’s Barbara Ward 5-4; and finally, BC’s Lynne Noble scored a 6-3 win over Northwest Territories/Yukon Sandy Penkala. In first round men’s action, 2000 World Men’s Champion Greg McAulay of BC was upset by George Hilderman of the Yukon/Northwest Territories 8-3 in an opening round stunner. Hilderman overcame a 3-1 deficit scoring seven unanswered points before McAulay conceded after the 9th end. In other action, Nova Scotia’s Scott Saunders joined Delahunt with a first round victory by a score of 6-3 over PEI’s Bill Hope. Ontario’s Guy Racette, making his first appearance at the seniors, posted a 92% team average in thumping Quebec’s Robbie MacLean 12-6.  Manitoba’s Kelly Robertson, another senior rookie, stole singles in the 6th and 9th ends to drop New Brunswick’s Wade Blanchard 7-3. A pre-tournament favourite, Saskatchewan’s Brad Heidt scored a single point in the 10th to edge Northern Ontario’s Eric Harnden 5-4. Finally, Alberta’s Brad Hannah needed an extra end to defeat Newfoundland & Labrador’s Jeff Thomas also by a 5-4 score. For detailed results, go to www.curling.ca/championships/seniors/draw-schedule/