Curl BC's David vs. Goliath

Photo: Curl BC

It was an Okanagan affair in the final of 2018 belairdirect BC Men’s Curling Championship in Parksville.

Hoping to the joining the ranks of five-time champions, The Jim Cotter rink (from Vernon) and his crew of third Catlin Schneider, second Tyrel Griffith and lead Rick Sawatsky put their four consecutive titles on the line against The Sean Geall rink from Kelowna,  consisting of third Jeff Richard, second Andrew Nerpin and lead David Harper.

Geall won the event once before, back in 2009 but has lost twice previously to Cotter, he knew this time he would have to dig deep. 

Cotter, a Goliath in the sport, had also won six of the last seven provincial crowns.
 
It took an extra end, but Geall out-lasted Cotter 9-7 to claim the 2018 belairdirect BC Men’s Curling Championship final.

"It feels really good,” said Geall. “It’s been a while and you start to wonder if that time is going to happen again. Now I have a small family and can’t commit the time I used to commit, so yeah, this is a big one.”
 
As tears flowed, Geall shared in the win afterward with his three children, wife and parents. 

“They played pretty well,” said Cotter. “Sean made some big doubles at the right time and he obviously made a great shot to win it, too, so congratulations to those guys.”
 
It was the only loss of the week for Cotter.

The Geall foursome now moves on to the Tim Hortons Brier in Regina, March 3-11.

Geall also earned a bit of revenge after losing 7-6 to Cotter in the 2016 championship final.