There was a bonspiel and there was league play, so action end to end, at the Quesnel Curling Centre (QCC).
56th Annual Sweet Heart Mixed Bonspiel filled the QCC with love, on Feb. 10-12.
Winners of the events:
A event: (Skip) Justin Nillson, (Third) Shari Needham, (Second) Dave Needham, (Lead) Dana Johansen
B event: (Skip) Dave Plant, (Third) Teri Matula, (Second) Daryl Matula, (Lead) Shar Berg
C event: (Skip) Earl Nikirk, (Third) Cindy Nikirk, (Second) Derrick DeJong, (Lead) Jill Chandler
Check out the winners photos on the Quesnel Cariboo Observer’s website.
The A event final, according to QCC manager Dave Plant, had its curling drama.
“It was a close, back and forth game between the Backer and Nillson rinks for the first four ends with Nillson leading 3-2,” he said. “In the 5th end Justin Nillson, the skip, made a nice double to steal two and take a 5-2 lead. In the 6th end, Eric Erickson, the skip of the Backer Rink, was forced to make a difficult draw to the button against four Nillson stones but unfortunately rubbed a guard, giving up a steal of four to put the game out of reach at 9-2. The Backer team conceded and ended the game with handshakes.”
The B event final, said Plant, describing his own contest, was “a close game tied at one each after two ends. Henderson draws against two in the 3rd end but is a bit heavy, leaving a steal of two for the Plant Rink. In the 4th end Team Henderson is forced to take one. Plant comes back with a two in the 5th. Plant now up 5-2, laying four in the 6th, leaving Henderson a draw for a point which comes up light and it’s a steal of four. Game over 9-2.”
In the C event final, it was the Nikirk Rink vs the Rolfe Rink, and saw Nikirk stealing in the first three ends of the game: one in the 1st, three in the 2nd, and one in the 3rd. “Rolfe managed to score two in the 5th, but another two in the 5th for Nikirk gave them the win with a 7-2 final.”
Sponsor League
In the city’s top competitive grouping, which plays every Wednesday night, there were three games to report from Feb. 15.
In one matchup it was the Child Development Centre up against Quesnel Scaffolding Services Ltd. (QSSL). According to QCC manager Dave Plant, the Child Development Centre “gave up four in the first, and the kids couldn’t pull off a comeback. QSSL stole one in the second and third, to make the task even more difficult.” The final score was 7-3.
Meanwhile, Billy Barker Casino was up against RedzShedz and every rock they threw seemed like a threat. “Billy Barker Casino was all in, and it paid off with a big win,” said Plant. The final score there was Casino 11, Shedz 3.
In the third tilt of the evening, Fix Auto took on Fresno Construction. “Freso got out to a quick start with three in the first and then held on for the win,” said Plant. It was a close one, 6-4 final score.
Read more: Rocks align for Waffle rink to score eight-ender at Quesnel Curling Club