New Zealand Curling

New Zealand Curling's 125th Jubilee season got under way in Naseby over the weekend with the MCI Open Doubles championship.

It was Sean and Bridget Becker – with a valuable "assist" from NZ Under-21 rep Thivya Jeyaranjan – who started the year with an impressive win.

The tournament was run along Mixed Doubles rules, the critical difference being that the make-up of the teams was open. Two of the sides were looking for valuable match practice before next month's World Mixed Doubles Championship – Hugh Millikin and Kim Forge (Australia), and NZ's Sean and Bridget.

Pool matches ran from Friday evening through to Sunday morning and the Beckers were undefeated to top Pool A with 5 wins. Nelson Ede and Brydie Donald edged out Dave Greer and Richard Morgan for the other qualifying spot after both teams finished with a 3-2 record.

John and Natalie Campbell qualified from the other pool with High and Kim, both on 3 wins.

A 5 point end was the deciding factor in the Trans-Tasman semi-final, the Beckers winning 8-3. The other semi was much tighter as Nelson and Brydie took a one point victory over John and Natalie.

Sunday's schedule was brought forward to assist Bridget Becker who was unable to get a later flight, and by agreement she was able to be "subbed" part-way through the final. Sean and Bridget had 4-1 lead halfway through the 8-end game when Bridget had to leave and Thivya Jeyaranjan came on in her place. She proved an able replacement as she and Sean carried on to take the match 9-4.

Hugh and Kim took some consolation when they led throughout the playoff for third.

At St Paul next month the Becker siblings will be keen to repeat their medal-winning performance at last year's World Mixed Doubles – NZ's first ever World Championship medal. No doubt Hugh will also welcome the chance to add a medal to the bronze he won with his Senior Men's side at last year World Seniors, also Australia's first world medal.

Results