Hyatt rink tops Bonot

Norm Hyatt got the best of his district counterpart—and bettered his playoff chances at the same time.
In a head-to-head meeting of the two local rinks yesterday afternoon, the Fort Frances Curling Club reps doubled Stratton’s Bryan Bonot 8-4 at the senior men’s and women’s association playdowns in Kakabeka Falls.
Coupled with a 6-5 loss this morning to Denis Magne (Port Arthur Curling Club), Bonot and his rink of third Terry Lee, second Ron Martinuk, and lead Ted Stewart were 1-3 and tied for last place with Rob Alderdice of the Eagle’s Landing Curling Club (Dryden) going into this afternoon’s draw.
Meanwhile, Hyatt and his crew of third Jim Jackson, second Glen Jackson, and lead Nevin Bonot also struggled this morning, falling 8-2 to Glen Saari (Fort William Curling Club).
Heading into this afternoon’s draw, the Fort Frances foursome was in a four-way tie for second place at 2-2 with Magne, Larry Pineau (Thunder Bay Country Club), and Ken Kozmenski (the second entry from Dryden).
Saari and Elo Willman (Red Rock Curling) were tied atop the standings after four draws at 3-1.
Hyatt was to face Willman this afternoon while Bonot squared off with Pineau (results were not available by press time).
Tomorrow morning’s draw will feature Bonot against Kozmenski while Hyatt takes on Alderdice. The round-robin then wraps up in the afternoon with Hyatt battling Pineau and Bonot versus Willman.
Contrary to previous reports, the top two teams after the round-robin will represent Northwestern Ontario at the provincial playdowns Dec. 19-21 in Iroquois Falls.
Tie-breakers, if needed to determine the top two teams, will be held Sunday.
The provincial winner then will head to Lethbridge, Alta. for the national showdown Jan. 18-26.
No local rinks are vying for the women’s crown at Kakabeka Falls.