New Zealand Curling

Two of the three matches completed in the Auckland Secondary Schools curling competition at Paradice Avondale last night were decided on the last stone, including a final shot take-out to score 5, resulting in a one point win.

Henderson High School had a winning opportunity against Epsom Girls Smirnova in the final end. However a perfectly judged last stone from NZ under-21 rep Brittany Taylor was swept just a little too far, allowing Kate Smirnova’s team to take their second consecutive steal and escape with a 7-7 draw.

It looked to be all over for Green Bay Clemett as they started the last end against Massey Powlesland trailing 1-5, but the Green Bay team kept the pressure on as they piled granite into the house. On his side’s second to last stone Green Bay skip Matt Clemett tapped a Massey stone into the open, and then removed it with his last to score a 5 for his team and snatch the game 6-5.

In the other match Eleanor Adviento’s Birkenhead College scored a season-high 6 points in the second end en route to overwhelming Massey Mixed 13-2.

Birkenhead, Epsom Girls Kwon and Long Bay Bauer lead Pool A with two wins from their first two matches. In Pool B, Epsom Girls Tagg, Long Bay Mahendron and Green Bay also have a perfect two-from-two record, with Henderson a point behind.

• Results and standings after Round 5

Auckland Curling is grateful for the support that makes this competition possible: