The Kim Dolan rink beat their clubmates, the Kathy O’Rourke team from the host Charlottetown Curling Complex by a 6-4 score in an extra end to capture the PEI Scotties Tournament of Hearts provincial women’s championship this afternoon, and earn her 10th trip to the national championship, which will take place February 1-9 at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal. There were few misses in the game, which saw the first five ends blanked. 2010 Canadian silver medallist O’Rourke drew 1st blood with a single in the sixth. Dolan hit for a deuce in the 7th to lead 2-1. O’Rourke took a single in the eighth, but Dolan drew for two in the 9th to lead by two points coming home. O’Rourke’s 4th rock thrower Robyn Green hit for a deuce in the 10th to bring the game to an extra end. In the extra, Green’s final draw was heavy, and Dolan, lying two, did not have to throw her final stone.
Photo (L-R): Jackie Reid, Michala Robison, Sinead Dolan, Rebecca Jean MacDonald, Kim Dolan
Other members of the winning Dolan rink are third Rebecca Jean MacDonald, second Sinead Dolan, and lead Michala Robison, with alternate Jackie Reid and coach John Likely. The runner-up O’Rourke team includes third Robyn Green, who throws 4th stones, second Meaghan Hughes, who throws 3rd), lead Tricia Affleck and alternate Stefanie Clark, with coach Peter MacDonald.
O’Rourke went through round robin play with a perfect 4-0 record, earning a bye to the final, while Dolan finished at 2-2, tied with Shirley Berry from the Cornwall and Silver Fox clubs. Dolan doubled Berry 8-4 in the semi-final.