Zone 9 win 2023/24 Senior Inter-Zone Sides Championship
Zone 9 clinched the 2023/24 Senior Inter-Zone Sides Championship, defeating last year’s runners-up, Zone 2, in the final held at NBC Sports.
The match started with both teams evenly matched across all three rinks with just two shots separating the teams after 18 ends. A significant turning point came when Colin Green’s team on the livestream rink secured a crucial seven-shot haul against Eric Ryan’s side, pushing Zone 9 to a 28-17 advantage after 21 ends.
Zone 2 mounted a strong comeback over the next 10 ends, closing the gap to just two shots. However, another five-shots to Green’s team allowed Zone 9 to solidify their lead as they started to surge ahead across all three rinks. Despite Zone 2’s efforts, they couldn’t bridge the gap, and Zone 9 emerged victorious with a final score of 67-50.
In the morning semi-finals, reigning champions Zone 15 faced Zone 9 in a thrilling encounter. These two teams had previously played a draw in sectional play, setting the stage for an intense rematch. Despite Zone 15 going nine shots ahead after 29 ends, Zone 9 fought back to take the lead after 35 ends. It all came down to the final end, where Stephen Ashdown’s rink secured three shots to edge out a 57-56 win, earning Zone 9 a spot in the final. Although Zone 15 were disappointed with the loss, they can take pride in their efforts to defend the title.
Zone 2’s semi-final against Zone 16 was equally tight, with both teams neck and neck for most of the match. Last year’s runners-up, Zone 2, managed to pull ahead in the final stages, thanks to strong performances from Kim Jaques and Warren Shipley on their rinks, ultimately securing the overall victory with a scoreline of 57-52. John Green’s team from Zone 16 put up a valiant fight, achieving a 17-shot win against Eric Ryan’s team, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Zone 2’s overall lead.
Congratulations to Zone 9, Zone 2, and all the teams that participated in another successful Senior Inter-Zone Sides Championship. The excitement continues as the Open Inter-Zone Sides Championship begins this Saturday, 1st June.
Click here to view the full Senior Inter-Zone Championship Results
