An appreciative crowd, estimated in the range of 250 curling fans and volunteers, was on hand at Killarney’s Shamrock Centre to witness the Wednesday morning opening draw of the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts presented by Monsanto.
They were rewarded with a tenth end, last shot victories and an extra end win.
Tied 6-6 coming home, Shannon Birchard (Thistle) made a last rock, angle raise takeout for a single point and a 7-6 victory over Joelle Brown (Charleswood).
Jennifer Briscoe (Burntwood) saw Krsity Watling score a pair coming home to tie 8-8 and force an extra end but the Thomspon team was able to control the 11th, with a rock buried biting the button, and did not have to use their last rock. Briscoe won 9-8.
In the other two games, Jennifer Jones (St. Vital) and her team opened with a 9-2 victory over Lisa Hale-Menard and her Dauphin foursome and Alyssa Calvert (Carberry) was a 10-5 victor over Brianne Meilleur (Fort Rouge).
First Killarney action for the other eight Scotties teams is at 12:15pm.
