Manitoba Leading; Three Way Tie in Women’s Section!

Manitoba men, skipped by Neepawa’s Kelly Robertson is inching closer to earning the bye to the men’s championship final at the 2011 World Financial Group Canadian Seniors in Digby, NS.

Saskatchewan's Delores Syrota (photo by Thian Carman)

On Wednesday, Robertson won a conservative match against Quebec’s Robbie Maclean 4-2 and then calmly drew the four foot against three Saskatchewan counters to edge Brad Heidt 8-6 in a battle of front-runners. Robertson’s record is now 8-1 and his Thursday match-ups will include a possible first place battle with NL’s Jeff Thomas who sits at 7-2 Thomas split his pair of games losing 7-4 to NS’s Scott Saunders surrendering steals in the 9th and 10th ends. The St. John’s skip rebounded nicely against BC’s Greg McAulay 8-4 with a big three count in the 8th end. Alone in third at 6-3 is Heidt. Still alive at 5-4 are the home province favourite Scott Saunders who won both his games and Brad Hannah of Alberta who lost both his games. While not officially eliminated, teams with five losses still have a slim hope of making tie-breakers. They include Northern Ontario’s Eric Harnden, Quebec’s Robbie Maclean and Ontario’s Guy Racette. The women’s section is bunching up with three teams now tied for first place at 7-2. Ontario’s Joyce Potter had a chance to have sole possession of the top spot but gave up two points in the 10th end and then a steal of one in the extra end to lose 7-6 to Northern Ontario’s Barbara Ward. Saskatchewan’s Delores Syrota kept pace with two lob-sided wins over Quebec and Manitoba. Also tied for first is NB’s Heidi Hanlon who shares the top spot despite losing to Potter 7-5 earlier in the day. Alone in fourth place is two time senior champ Diane Foster of Alberta at 6-3. Finally and still in the hunt at 5-4 are former world champion Nancy Delahunt (with Colleen Jones throwing last stones), Ward of Thunder Bay and June Moyaert of PEI. For full results, go to: www.curling.ca/championships/seniors/draw-schedule/