Salmon Arm played host to some great curling over the weekend, as the Ashley Home Store Classic stormed into town.

Despite having to arrange last-minute flights due to flood-damaged roads, eight men’s teams made it to the Salmon Arm Curling Club for the on-ice action. Sadly, the Women’s side of this event did not reach the required number of teams and was cancelled.

With a $13000 purse on the line, competition was fierce in the triple knockout event with 4 qualifiers. Team Cotter of Vernon charged out of the gate with an 8-1 rout over Team Cowell of Salmon Arm. Team Cotter then kept up the pressure in the A event defeating Team Geall of Royal City in a closely-matched 6-5 decision, finally in the A final they defeated Team Cseke of Victoria 8-5.

Team Rob Nobert—also of Vernon—dropped their first game 7-3 against Team Geall, but then defeated team Cowell of Salmon Arm 6-4 Team Richard 6-4, Team Geall 6-0 and Cseke 9-5 to  punch their ticket to the playoffs via the B event.

Team Richard qualified via the C event along with local entry Dave Belway to round out the four team playoff.

The final saw Team Nobert pull ahead early, with Team Cotter coming back with strong in the 3rd. The momentum was enough to eventually take them over the top, and Team Cotter triumphed 5-4.

With this victory, Team Cotter has greatly improved their chances at earning one of the three remaining BC Curling Tour berths up for grabs. Those berths will be decided at the King Cashpiel, at the Golden Ears Winter Club in Maple Ridge, December 3-5.