03/15/2026
The top two teams in this year's Trail Super League continued their dominance in the second round of the 2026 Playoffs.
In the first A semi-final, a short staffed Team Deane Horning, skipped by Jamie Ingram, played Team Don Freschi, skipped by Richard Faunt this week. A hit n roll out on Skip Faunto's first rock led to a blank end in the 1st, followed by a light draw in the 2nd, settling for a single point. Team Horning had a chance for two in the 3rd, but Skip Ingram hit an rolled the wrong way on his last, also settling for a single point. Skip Faunt made both come around draws to a guarded 4 foot for a Skippers deuce in the 4th, then Team Freschi tacked on one in the 5th when Skip Ingram had a double for four, but jammed on the shot rock, giving up the single steal. Skip Ingram made a delicate come around tap for two in the 6th, to close the gap within one. Both teams front ends made nice come around draws to a guarded 4foot to start the 7th, with Team Freschi sitting two, but with an open pocket available. This was followed by both teams thirds unable to capitalize on securing a stone into that 4 foot pocket until Skip Faunt threw wide and slightly heavy, angle raising one of his own perfectly onto the button to sit three buried. Skip Ingrams only option was to play a difficult in-off on one of his corner guards that breezed by, then conceding to the 7-3 Team Freschi win.
The other A semi saw Team Myron Nichol, skipped by Garry Beaudry this week, take on Team Les Lepine. An attempted freeze by Skip Les didn't curl enough, allowing Skip Beaudry an open hit for three in the 1st. Skip Lepine made a delicate come around tap to sit three with his first in the 2nd, that was followed by an even better, but uncalled for, hit n roll freeze by Skip Beaudry, forcing Lepine to draw for his single, that unfortunately picked to give up a steal of one. Team Nichols front end made some nice draws and perfect guards, leading to another steal of one in the 3rd. Skip Lepine got his team on the board with a nice straight on double take-out for one in the 4th, then made another one in the 5th, but the shooter didn't roll enough undercover, allowing Skip Beaudry a weight sensitive come around tap for a deuce. In the 6th, Skip Les had a chance at his third double take-out in the 3 ends, this time to count a huge four, that slightly overcurled, jamming onto shot rock, for a steal of one, resulting in handshakes and the 8-1 Team Nichol victory.
In a Consolation game, Team Sandra Meger faced off against Team Ken Fines, skipped by Steve Kivell. Team Meger looked rusty to start the game, breezing or half hits on takeouts, forcing Skip Meger to try a freeze with her last, that bounced off shot rock, gifting Skip Kivell an open hit for four in the 1st. Team Meger couldn't capitalize on a missed opportunity in the 2nd, as Skip Sandra nicked a guard on a hit for three, settling for a single. Team Fines seemingly put the game away with a field goal in the 3rd, and holding Team Meger in the 4th, but the Ladies showed their mettle, clawing their way back, starting with a steal of two in the 5th when Skip Kivells come around tap overcurled, crushing on a guard. That seemed to invigorate Team Meger, as they suddenly regained their draw weight, making perfect guards and come arounds to steal singles in the 6th, 7th and 8th ends, tying the game at 7 all to force a team groundhog playoff to see who would advance. Team Meger continued with their renewed draw weight hitting the 4foot once and button twice to lead 11-7 before the final Skips throws. All Skip Meger needed was a top 12 foot minimum for one point to seal the comeback victory, but she came light, allowing Skip Kivell the opportunity to draw the button for 4 points to tie the game. A Team Fines sweeping error let his rock die in the full 4 foot for only three points, giving Team Meger an 11-10 groundhog score, for an exciting 8-7 comeback win.
The Trail 2025/26 Season will conclude Thursday March 19th, with Teams Nichol and Freschi will playing for the playoff championship, while Team Lepine will face Team Meger in one Consolation event, and Team Horning will battle Team Fines in the other.
A big thank-you to Kootenay Savings Credit Union for their continued support.
Cheers ... Faunto
