Jackson rink struggled at Kingston

Kathie Jackson’s rink had gone to Kingston with high hopes but finished well out of the running, posting a 2-7 mark in the round-robin of the Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts last week.
It marked the fourth year in a row the Fort Frances foursome had failed to qualify for the playoffs at the provincial showdown.
“I am disappointed. I was hoping to improve our record but instead we worsened it,” noted lead Stacy Beacham.
She said that Kingston was great but the way the team curled wasn’t.
“We struggled . . . things weren’t going our way and when that happens, there isn’t much you can do.”
Jackson’s rink, which also included third Kim Beaudry and second Kelly Wagar, had a tough day last Thursday, losing all three of their draws, before splitting their final two matches on Friday.
But by then they were already out of the running for a playoff berth.
Jackson’s crew got off to a slow start last Tuesday, losing 8-7 to Nadine Landon (Soo Curling Association) and then 10-3 to Dawn Schwar (Sudbury Curling Club).
Then after getting into the win column Wednesday morning with an easy 11-1 rout in just five ends over Colleen Madonia (North Halton Golf and Country Club), they were dumped 12-3 by defending champ Anne Merklinger (Rideau).
“[Anne Merklinger] was one of the tougher games,” noted Beacham. “She is so experienced and can make the crucial shots.”
Going into Thursday with a 1-3 record, Jackson then blew a 5-4 lead in after eight ends en route to an 8-5 setback to previously winless Alison Goring (Bayview Country Club).
Michelle Pellegrin (Royal Curling Club) then rocked Jackson 10-4 on Thursday afternoon before they fell 9-2 to eventual champ Sherry Middaugh (Coldwater District Curling Club) that evening to finish the day at 1-6.
They wrapped up play Friday with a 6-4 win over Melanie Palmer (IIderton) before losing 8-5 to Tara George (Fort William) in the final draw of the round-robin.
“All the games were tough, close games and they could have gone either way,” said Beacham.
Beacham also noted since the amount of competition rinks see up here is so minimal, it is really tough to compete at the provincial level.
“It is an accomplishment to get there,” she said.