Keith Ryan of Labrador City is the clear leader heading into Friday, the final full day of round-robin play at the 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador senior men’s curling championship in St. John’s.
Ryan and his team of Mike Ryan, Barry Edwards and Dennis Langdon own a 5-1 record in the nine-team competition at the Re/Max Centre, with four teams tied for second place at 3-2.
Keith Ryan has never won a provincial senior title, but skipped a team (one that included Mike Ryan and Langdon) to a N.L. Tankard men’s crown in 2001.
Two of the 3-2 teams — defending champion Gary Oke of Corner Brook and Harold Walters of St. John’s — square off this morning. Three-time provincial champion Jeff Thomas and Alex Smith, who both curl out of the Re/Max Centre, are also at 3-2.
Harold Walters of St. John’s is 3-3, while Mark Noseworthy, who is based out of Bally Haly in St. John’s is 2-3.
Donald Hawco of St. John’s is 1-4 and Peter Matthews of Gander is 1-5.
There are two draws today, 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and a final draw Saturday morning (9:30 a,m,).
The first-place finisher will go straight to the final, while the second- and third-place teams, after any necessary tie-breakers, will play in a semifinal to determine the other rink that will play in the championship game.
The eventual champion will represent the province at the 2020 Everest Canadian senior championships March 16-22 in Portage la Prairie, Man.
