(by Jason Malloy)
SUMMERSIDE-, P.E.I. – Jamie Newson scored singles in the final four ends to start the Prince Edward Island Tankard men’s curling championship with a 7-3 victory over Calvin Smith Wednesday in Summerside.
Skip Jamie Newson yells during their opening match of the P.E.I. Tankard Wednesday in Summerside. Competition continues until Sunday at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex in Summerside.
©MILLICENT McKAY/TC MEDIA
“It wasn’t our best game, but it was good enough to get through, so we learned a few things and (we’ll) be little sharper tomorrow,” Newson said from the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex. “We wanted to make sure we got that first one under our belt to get a little momentum going.”
The complex is hosting the men’s, women’s and futures competition this week with the futures event, for under-21 curlers, beginning on Friday.
Bair Jay defeated Tyler Harris 7-6 in 11 ends while Phil Gorveatt beat Robert Campbell 7-6.
Newson, who has finished second the last three years with a different team, said it is the most wide-open field he recalls during his 15-plus years in the event.
“Basically, whoever has the hot hand is going to pull it out this weekend,” he said.
Women’s
Robyn MacPhee and her rink from Charlottetown opened the women’s draw by defeating Tammy Dewar’s foursome from the Montague Curling Rink 12-0 in five ends.
“It was a great way to start the tournament,” MacPhee said. “The other team had a few unfortunate misses, but we played well. It was just nice to get on the ice. We’ve been waiting awhile to get this event started.”
Lisa Jackson defeated Veronica Smith 7-4, scoring one in the eighth and stealing a deuce in the ninth. Jackson and her team of Jaclyn Reid, Melissa Morrow and Jodi Murphy meet MacPhee today at 3 p.m. in an all-Charlottetown battle at the four-team competition.
“It’s such a short tournament that you want to try and win every game you can and build the confidence right from the start,” MacPhee said.
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