Close, but no nugget for a Vernon curling squad.
The Mark Longworth rink lost 9-6 in an extra end to Jason Montgomery of Victoria in a playdown for the final spot into the field at the B.C. Men’s Curling Championships, slated Jan. 29 to Feb. 3, at the West Fraser Centre in Quesnel.
Seven teams competed in the playdowns at the Lillooet Memorial Curling Club.
Curling with Longworth were his son, Michael, at third, and the front end of Rob Nobert and John Slattery.
Montgomery gets the final spot into the 12-team field in Quesnel, which will determine the B.C. rep to the Tim Hortons Brier.
Vernon’s Jim Cotter will be seeking an eighth provincial Purple Heart and trip to the Brier. He’s joined by third Steve Laycock, second Tyrel Griffith and lead Rick Sawatsky.
Defending champ Sean Geall — who beat Cotter in last year’s final — is also in the field.
Quesnel will also host the provincial women’s championships at the same time.
Vernon’s Kim Slattery, and her rink of Alyssa Kyllo, Kelsi Jones and Morgayne Eby, will be part of the eight-team field competing for the right to represent the province at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian championships.
More information, including ticket and television/livestream information, can be found at http://quesnel2019.curlbc.ca
roger@vernonmorningstar.com
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