Moose Jaw’s Barker rink wins Saskatchewan championship
MELVILLE The last hit was the biggest for Moose Jaw’s Penny Barker at the Viterra Saskatchewan women’s curling championship.
Barker hit for four in Sunday’s 10th end to register a 10-7 victory over North Battleford’s Robyn Silvernagle in the provincial Scotties Tournament of Hearts final at the Horizon Credit Union Centre.
“At this point, it definitely has to be the biggest hit (of my career),’’ Barker said after clinching her first provincial women’s title.
“I just had to take a deep breath, throw it well, and let the sweepers do the rest.’’
The shot vaulted Barker, third Deanna Doig, second Lorraine Schneider and lead Danielle Sicinski into the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts, Feb. 18-26 in St. Catharines, Ont.
“It means the world because it’s something you’ve dreamed of since you were a little girl,’’ Barker said. “Everybody is out here trying to achieve the same thing and I’m so glad that we got it.’’
It didn’t appear as if Barker would have to throw her final stone based on what had happened in the early portion of the match.
She stole one in the first end after Silvernagle’s takeout jammed against a Barker counter in the 12-foot.
Silvernagle, who was curling with third Dayna Demers, second Christina Goertzen and lead Kara Thevenot, gave up a steal of two in the second end when the North Battleford skip attempted to squeeze between two guards at the front of the house.
She wrecked on a guard, setting up Barker for her second consecutive steal and a 3-0 lead.
Barker recorded her third consecutive steal in the third end, when Silvernagle was light on a draw, and led 4-0.
A tap for two by Silvernagle in the fourth end halved Barker’s lead to 4-2.
In the fifth end, Barker drew against a Silvernagle rock for a 5-2 advantage.
Silvernagle drew against three in the sixth end for one and trailed Barker 5-3.
Barker was heavy on a draw in the seventh end, leading to Silvernagle stealing one and reducing the deficit to 5-4.
In the eighth end, Barker drew the four-foot against two Silvernagle stones to grab a 6-4 lead.
Silvernagle assumed her first lead of the match when she drew for three to carry a 7-6 advantage into the 10th end. Barker took it from there.
Barker entered the competition seeded seventh among the nine teams.
She advanced through the playoffs by stealing two in the 10th end to edge Saskatoon’s Nancy Martin 8-6 in the 3 vs. 4 Page Playoff game and then stole three in the 10th end to defeat Saskatoon’s Stefanie Lawton 8-6 in Sunday’s semifinal.
Silvernagle finished first in the round robin with a 7-1 record. She beat Lawton 9-7 in 1 vs. 2 Page Playoff Game on Saturday to advance to the final.
Demers won the Marj Mitchell Award, which recognizes sportsmanship and competitiveness.
Meanwhile Regina’s Michelle Englot captured her eighth provincial women’s curling title on Sunday, but in a different province.
Englot, a seven-time Saskatchewan women’s champion, defeated Winnipeg’s Darcy Robinson 8-6 after scoring two in the 10th end of the Manitoba women’s championship.
Earlier on Sunday in Winnipeg, Robinson upset five-time Canadian champion Jennifer Jones 8-6 in the semifinal.
Englot commutes from Regina to Winnipeg to curl with third Kate Cameron, second Leslie WilsonWestcott and lead Raunora Westcott.
Curling teams are allowed one import from another province under the latest residency rules adopted by Curl Canada.