South Island School champions found

Otago Boys HS plan their quest for gold. Photo © NZCA / Janyne Fletcher

12 Aug 2019 – Despite the bone-chilling Dunedin weather there was a great turn out for the weekend's South Island Secondary Schools curling tournament.

After a break in 2018, this tournament returned in full force with the organisational help of Peter Becker.

It was very encouraging to see a number of new players and great team spirit in the Mixed competition. In the end, the Mya Miller's Bayfield Burlers came through, closely followed by Maniototo Area School.

Skip Hunter Walker and his Otago Boys High team claimed gold and were dominant throughout the boys' section of the tournament. The team did not concede any games but Logan Park High School team came close, forcing an extra end to break a 4-4 deadlock after the regulation number of ends.

Kavanagh College played steadily throughout the competition with just one loss to Otago Boys to claim second, and were followed by Maniototo Area School in third place.

Four closely matched teams at the top of the table led to some intense but good-natured competition in the Girls' section. St Hilda's Collegiate, Otago Girls High School, Kavanagh College 1 and Maniototo Area School all jockeyed for top placings throughout the tournament.

After a shaky start, Lucy Neilson’s Maniototo team steadied themselves for a very composed and strong finish to claim first place. They were very closely followed by the Mhairi Bronte-Duncan coached Otago Girls High School team with Kavanagh College in third.

At the prize-giving all of the teams expressed their gratitude to their supporters, parents, teachers, officials and icemaker Reece Aiken.