The Original 16 Cash League has seen a little more parity this year compared to recent seasons, and that was once again on display on Wednesday night at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre.
The slate of games saw a pair of mild upsets, as Wade Gray (6-8) took a 6-5 extra-end win over KMS Construction (Ben Gamble, 10-4) and Leeville Construction (Curtis Woloschuk, 5-8) got past John’s Music (Ryan Wenarchuk, 7-7) with a 7-3 victory.
Things looked good for Gamble in the early going against Gray, as a deuce in the first end and steal in the second gave the perennial league contenders a 3-0 lead. Gray got all that back over the next three ends, though, picking up single points in each to tie things 3-3 through five. Gamble got one back in the sixth, but a Gray deuce in the seventh would give them control, and after holding Gamble to a single point in the eighth, Gray would finish things off with one in the extra end.
Wenarchuk got off to a similar good start against Woloschuk with a quick 3-0 lead, but a three-spot in the third followed by steals of one in the fourth and fifth made it 5-3 Woloschuk, and they’d finish things off with another deuce in the sixth for the four-point win.
Young and Young Automotive (Stan Barnsley, 7-7) had a close game with RK Sunview Farms (Dayne Heisler, 1-13), with the two teams tied 3-3 through four ends. Barnsley would take control with points the next three ends, though, and would hold Heisler to a single point in the final end for the 6-4 win.
Fountain Tire (Barry Silk, 11-3) continued their winning ways with a quick night against Ryder Helmeczi (4-9). The game was tied 2-2 through four ends, but a three-spot in the fifth would make it 5-2 and the teams would shake hands.
The game between BTN Chartered Accountants (Penny Barker, 12-1) and EMJ Marketing (Joe Gunnis, 5-8) was postponed due to Barker playing in the Viterra Scotties provincial women’s championship.
Original 16 Cash League action takes place every Wednesday night at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre.
