Derek day two at the Challenge Round

A little better than the first as they got a win in game one but a picked rock on a draw in the second game was the undoing. Eighth end and behind by one with the hammer. Derek has a draw against three and his rock picks and stops dead. Steal of 3 for the other team and just too big a hole, too late to climb out.

They still have a chance as the field is well bunched but need to win the remaining three games and get some help. Two more games on Saturday and the final round robin game on Sunday.

Tough day one for Derek

It was a very tough day for the Derek and team. Two losses in the first two games. From the on-site reports sounds like the first game was a very good one and the second was not.

A bounce back today with two wins will put them in good position for the weekend. Here is an excerpt from someone who was there.

(from Ben Tucker, ND curler and internet friend)
Draw One saw the best two teams playing against each other on Sheet 3. Farbelow, with the addition of Eric Fenson throwing second stone and vice skipping, looked very much the team that the top teams in the nation would not like to play. The were matched rock for rock, truth be told, by the Surka rink. All eight players were above 80%. I didn't keep stats, but I know 80% when I see it. Great game, won by Farbelow. If it was a semi final at Nationals, we would all be proud.

(game 2)
Sheet 2 saw the wheels come off the Surka Express. They could not make a rock do anything according to plan. Stephen Colbert's remote controll rock was sorely needed but nowhere in sight.

Derek tries for a second National championship

Starting today in Grafton, ND (current temp 11) Derek with Sean (from the mixed champions), Tim and Paul (both from Broomstones) will try to win their way into the Nationals. This is the second round of playdowns, the challenge round. Eight teams will play a round robin and the top three will advance to the Men's National Championship with 7 other teams. In the Nationals the ten teams will again play a round robin with the winner representing the US in the Worlds.

Results will be posted here and here.

Hopefully some direct reports will also be posted to this blog by Charrissa or check out Facebook for updates from Derek and Sean.

Jeff