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Brothers edges Arsenault to secure host province berth at Scotties playdowns

Jan 27, 2019 | 12:41 PM

Jill Brothers will represent host Nova Scotia at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts after a 6-5 victory over Mary-Anne Arsenault in Sunday’s provincial final at the Dartmouth Curling Club.

Brothers stole two points in the 10th end to lock up a berth in the Feb. 15-24 national women’s curling championship at Sydney’s Centre 200.

The Halifax skip made it a one-point game in the ninth end by delivering a draw against four.

Brothers put the pressure on the five-time national champion in the 10th end. She guarded two stones near the button and Arsenault was wide with her final angle runback attempt.

Brothers joined a national field that includes Kerry Galusha of Northwest Territories, Nunavut’s Jenine Bodner, Quebec’s Gabrielle Lavoie and Team Canada’s Jennifer Jones.

Other rinks who previously locked up berths include Yukon’s Nicole Baldwin, Suzanne Birt of Prince Edward Island and Kelli Turpin of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ottawa’s Rachel Homan is guaranteed a berth in the wild-card game, which determines the 16th and final team in the field, if she doesn’t win the Ontario championship next weekend.

Provincial women’s finals in Manitoba, Alberta, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan were scheduled for later Sunday.

In Gimli, Man., Tracy Fleury will play the winner of the morning semifinal between Darcy Robertson and Kerri Einarson.

In Stettler, Alta., Kelsey Rocque was to play Jodi Marthaller with the winner to face Chelsea Carey.

In Humboldt, Sask., the winner of the Sherry Anderson-Kristen Streifel semifinal will meet Robyn Silvernagle. And in the Moncton final, Sarah Mallais will take on Andrea Crawford.

In men’s play, Terry Odishaw booked his ticket to the Tim Hortons Brier with a 7-4 win over James Grattan in the New Brunswick Tankard at Moncton.

Later Sunday, Jamie Murphy was to face Stuart Thompson for the Nova Scotia crown in Dartmouth.

The national men’s curling championship is set for March 1-10 at Westoba Place in Brandon, Man.

Nunavut’s Dave St. Louis, P.E.I.’s John Likely and Quebec’s Martin Crete have already secured spots with Team Canada’s Brad Gushue.

The Canadian Press

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