Mark Longworth tuned up for the B.C. Men’s Curling Championships by brushing back Sherry Heath’s De Vine Vintners 4-2 in Baron Insurance Super League playoff action Wednesday night at the Vernon Curling Club.
After a fine tap by Vintner skip Sandra Jenkins for a point in one, Longworth’s Sladen Moore rink blanked two and then recorded singles over the next four ends to take a 4-1 lead.
The Heath foursome, who are bound for the Tim Hortons senior women’s provincials starting Monday, Feb. 11 in Trail, cut the lead in half with one in seven, but Sladen Moore ran them out of stones in eight.
Baron Insurance playoff action resumes Wednesday, Feb. 13, with Robbi Kuhn’s North Enderby Timber taking on Darrell (Heavy D) Houston. The winner meets Dave Merklinger’s Canwest Propane in the semifinals.
Longworth advances to take on Jim Cotter’s Woodland Equipment in the other semi.
Supported by third Jamie Sexton and front-enders Hugh Bennett and Michael Longworth, Longworth opens the Canadian Direct Insurance provincials against New Westminster’s Brent Pierce Wednesday afternoon in Parksville.
Cotter, the reigning B.C. champion, begins his title defence against White Rock’s Richard Brower Wednesday morning. He is backed by third Jason (Gunner) Gunnlaugson, second Ty Griffith and lead Rick Sawatsky.
Vernon’s other provincial entry – skip Trevor Perepolkin, third Tyler Orme and front enders James McKenzie and Chris Anderson – begin the 16-team event against Abbotsford’s Dean Joanisse.
The winner advances to the Tim Hortons Brier, March 2-10, at Edmonton’s Rexall Place.
In a Super League makeup game Wednesday, Canwest skip Darren Heath covered the pin with his final shot to secure a 7-6, extra-end win over Woodland.
A double-raise, double-takeout by the feller bunchers started a flurry of great shots back and forth. Merklinger delivered a gorgeous raise triple-takeout in four to set up a steal of two.
Trailing 6-3, Cotter came back with a huge triple-ender in eight to force the extra end.
Meanwhile, Vernon’s Wayne Laface will be throwing third stones for Kelowna’s Garry Gelowitz at senior men’s playdowns in Trail.
