Manitoba bring an end to era of BC dominance

BC's Gary Cormack and Manitoba's Chris Sobkowicz
photo by Kevin Malinowski

BC had won every National Championship since 2006, when Team Canada stopped competing, and last year monopolised the final with their Host Team beating their Provincial Champions.

 BC's Alison Duddy, Frank LaBounty and Vince Miele looking relaxed before the game

photo by Kevin Malinowski
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This year they have found it tougher to compete against the better sides, losing to each of the three teams above them in the table after round robin play.

A Manitoba point by a measure in the 1st

photo by Kevin Malinowski
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Manitoba, who have collected bronze medals at the last three National Championships, had BC's number in an 8-1 win earlier in the week but it took a measurement in the first to give Manitoba their single as they opened with hammer in the 3/4 Page playoff game at the Canadian National Wheelchair Curling Championships in Edmonton.

BC skip Gary Cormack

photo by Kevin Malinowski
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In the second Manitoba drew to their own stone in the four foot and BC skip Gary Cormack's attempt to clear, jammed, giving up a steal of 1.

In the 3rd, Manitoba skip Chris Sobkowicz hit and stuck in the four foot, and BC's takeout attempt flashed to allow Manitoba to add another single point steal. BC finally opened their account with a draw for a single point, to go into the break down 3-1.

The 5th saw BC narrow the gap to 3-2 when Manitoba were narrow with their final stone, hitting the guard to allow BC their first stolen point.

Manitoba skip Chris Sobkowicz
photo by Kevin Malinowski
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Manitoba opened the game up in the 6th, drawing for a 3rd point and a 6-2 lead. In the 7th BC took two when Manitoba wrecked on a guard attempting an open hit, to give them a chance in the final end down 6-4. It was a small chance and though they finished with a rock on the pin, it wasn't enough and Manitoba did not have to throw heir last rock to win.

Manitoba  *  1 1 1 0 0 3 0 x - 6

BC           0 0 0 1 1 0 2 x - 4

Tomorrow's semi-final between Nova Scotia and Manitoba begins at 9.30am - the winner playing Alberta in the final at 2pm while the loser is awarded the bronze medal.

You can see results, line scores and schedule in our 2011 Canadian Nationals coverage on our website