Matt Tolley‘s Kelowna-based curling team picked off top team after top team until they reached the final of the Cloverdale Cash Spiel.
Tolleyās opponent after three straight matches on Sept. 18 was the Chinese Olympic team that placed fourth in Sochi. However, it wasnāt until after being told who the team was did Tolley, a member of the Penticton Curling Club, realize who they played.
āI think we were tired because it was a long weekend. A bit of a grind,ā said Tolley. āI donāt think we really had time to think about it.ā
The Chinese team even had official gear on, but Tolley and his group were focused on the game then who their opponent was. The final slid in Chinaās favour, 7-6.
āWe played well. We had an opportunity to win. We just missed a key shot, which kind of turned the tables against us,ā said Tolley. āWe had to scrap from behind, which was definitely difficult against a team like that because their calibre is so good. Once they had us in a spot like that, it was going to be a struggle.ā
The Chinese rink was very good, said Tolley, and didnāt miss many shots. When Tolleyās side made good shots, they acknowledged it. As good as they were on the ice, they were equally friendly. In following curling tradition, the Chinese rink bought Tolleyās beer.
āFor a high-level team like that, it was kind of nice,ā he said.
Tolleyās rink won five of seven matches. They opened the first event in the World Curling Tour with a loss to Abbotsfordās Dean Joanisse. The team went into the spiel looking to qualify and play on the final day.
āTo make it to the final was nice to see,ā said Tolley. āWe beat some good teams. Definitely put us on the right path.ā
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