For the second bonspiel in a row, the ice plant broke down.
But this time, it happened before the action started and didn’t have much of an impact on the quality of play.
Once the action got underway in the evening of March 2, the three-day event saw 17 teams register to compete for the title and the chance to take home the top prizes — gym bags.
It was a jam-packed weekend, which saw dozens of games played. When it was all said and done, only one team was able to lay claim to the label of champion.
That team was the St. Albert-based Alan Sweeney rink. Skipped by Alan, the team also included brothers Tim (second) and Greg (third) Sweeney. Rounding out the rink and throwing lead stones was Ryer Atkinson.
The ‘A’ final between Sweeney’s team and that of Cam Ray was a tight match that very nearly came down to the last rock.
With the game tied 2-2 in the eighth end, Sweeney was lying one and holding the hammer. On their last throw, Ray team skip Geoff Gonnet slid his rock through the house, leaving Sweeney to take the win, 3-2.
After the game, Sweeney praised the bonspiel organizers.
“It was a good tournament,” he said. “We had lots of fun. There were a few close games, and the ice conditions were great on Saturday and Sunday.”
If it was possible, the ‘B’ final was an even closer affair than the ‘A’ final.
Trailing 6-5 in the eighth end, Wayne Neuman scored one on a draw to the back eight-foot to send the game to an extra end.
In the extra end, Neuman sat one on the edge of the 12-foot, leaving John Strand a draw to the full eight-foot for the win. Unfortunately, Strand was heavy on the draw and the rock slid right through the house, giving the Neuman rink a 7-6 win.
The ‘C’ final was the least close of the three finals on Sunday. Brian White’s rink won with an official score of 7-2 through six ends after Dean Rau’s rink conceded the match.
Overall, it was a successful bonspiel, with players coming from all over the province to compete. Several teams were composed of players from different places, or at least had one interloper.
Up next for the Barrhead Curling Club is the mixed bonspiel on March 16-18.
