Icebreaker begins curling season in Liverpool

Kudos should go out to organizer Gail Davison, her many helpers and ice makers Greg Thorbourne and Cheryl Nickerson for the many hours they put into making this an enjoyable event for the curlers.

This bonspiel is divided into two sections, 14 and Under and 20 and Under. It is run on a three-day format with four different divisions in each section.

Liverpool had an excellent representation with five teams testing their skill against outside rinks coming from as far away as Truro and Clare. In the 14 and Under section, the team of Jared Daniels, Johnathan Himmelman, Marshal Young, Brandon Fralic and coach David Daniels opened play against Ben Roberts from Glooscap. They got off to a quick start with two in the first end but Roberts took four in the second end. They put in a good effort but were defeated 6-3. Going to the 2nd Consolation, they played Ashley Francis of Bridgewater. This was a great game for the local boys as they took four in the first end, two in the second and cruised to a 9-4 win.

Next they had to play club mate Daniel Andrews in the final game. This game was controlled by Andrews for the initial four ends before the Daniels rink took one in the fifth end, four in the sixth and one in the seventh for a 7-5 victory and the Consolation title.

A second team in this section was made up of Bronwyn Thompson, Jacob Chandler, Cody Benvie, Jared Wigglesworth and coaches H. Benvie and S. Chandler. They began by playing Mary Fay of Chester. This was not the start the locals were looking for as Fay took a 7-2 win.

Playing in the 2nd Consolation, Thompson had to play club mate Andrews. This was a highly entertaining match as Andrews quickly jumped to a 5-0 lead after two ends only to see Thompson come back with six in the third and one in the fourth. Andrews then scored three in the fifth and one in the sixth to take a 9-7 victory. Next, Thompson played Francis in the final of the 3rd Consolation. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, she and her teammates roared back to take the 12-3 win and the 3rd Consolation title.

Liverpool’s third entry in the 14 and Under was comprised of Daniel Andrews, Brendon Fultz, Hayden Wamboldt, Andrew Corkum and coach Dave Andrews. For their first game, they were up against Roberts and after taking a 2-0 lead in the first gave up a four in the second and could never quite catch up and took a 6-3 loss. Their next two games were the previously mentioned matches with Daniels and Thompson that left them with a 1-2 record and runner up status in the 2nd Consolation.

In the 20 and Under section, the team of Wade Davison, Josh Grant, Gavin Mansfield, Ben Callaghan and coach Alan Foster saw their weekend begin against Lucas Wile of Bridgewater. This game went back and forth with both teams having the lead before Davison took one in the eighth to tie and force a draw to the button to decide the outcome with Liverpool pulling out the win.

Next, playing Peter Doane of CFB Halifax, it was again a close match with single points being scored in most ends. The exception was a three in the sixth that propelled Liverpool to a 5-4 triumph. In a semi final match in the Main Event, Davison was playing the Marlee Powers/Tara LeGay rink from Bridgewater. Again, this was close throughout with a couple of blank ends and the score tied after seven ends. The eighth end came down to Liverpool needing to draw to the eight-foot for the win but their final shot was heavy and gave the win to Bridgewater.

Davison then went to the 1st Consolation where they faced Robert Mayhew of Dartmouth in a semi final game. Single points dominated in this match but a score of two in the fifth helped to give Liverpool the 5-2 win.

In the championship game for the 1st Consolation Davison and team were matched against Doane. Three blank ends in the first four ends kept this a low scoring game. Doane then stole single points in the final three ends to take the 5-4 win.

Liverpool’s final entry consisted of Neal Callaghan, Joel Smith, Bryden McNamara, Mitchell Langley and coach Elaine Callaghan. They opened against Wile and despite taking one in the first were defeated 9-2. Going to the 2nd Consolation, they played Fay. This was an entertaining match with a pair of three enders by Fay being the difference in a 7-5 triumph.

Their next game was in the 3rd Consolation against Darren Hall of Chester. This was a great game for them as they dominated and took an easy 8-2 win. In the final of the 3rd Consolation, they played Marc Gordon of Mayflower. This was not quite so good as they played hard but fell behind 5-0 after two ends and eventually fell by a 9-4 score.

Winning teams in the different sections were: 14 and Under-Main- Brine, 1st Consolation- Fay, 2nd Consolation-Daniels and 3rd Consolation - Thompson. 20 and Under winners: Main-Powers/LeGay, 1st Consolation- Doane, 2nd Consolation - Buott and 3rd Consolation - Gordon.

All in all, it was a good weekend of curling for all the curlers involved in the bonspiel. Congratulations everyone.

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