Brad Gushue and his rink from St. John's, Nfld., were victorious in their first bonspiel since winning the Brier Tankard for a third time in four years in March.

Team Gushue went 6-0 at the Dave Jones Stanhope Simpson Insurance Mayflower Cashspiel, beating Team Stuart Thompson of Halifax in the final, 8-4. The championship game was close through six ends before Gushue put up a four-spot in the seventh end which led to early handshakes.

Gushue, third Mark Nichols, second Brett Gallant were joined by a new lead for the Halifax event with Geoff Walker not playing this weekend. Joel Krats, an 18-year-old junior curler from Newfoundland and Labrador who won silver at the Canadian junior championship earlier this year, filled in at front end.

Team Gushue were forced to wait a little longer than some other top level rinks given the lack of events in eastern Canada due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Two Scotties Tournament of Hears regulars were featured in the women's final as Nova Scotia's Jill Brothers captured the title on home turf, beating Prince Edward Island's Suzanne Birt in the last game, 9-4. Brothers broke the game open in the fifth end by scoring three points.

Team Brothers consists of Brothers at skip, Erin Carmody at third, Sarah Murphy at second and Jennifer Brine at lead.

The event also featured Christina Black (2-2), Colleen Jones (2-2), Melissa Adams (2-2), Tanya Hilliard (3-1, lost in semis) and Theresa Breen (4-0, lost in semis).

 

Flasch Victory

In Saskatchewan, Colton Flasch won his first event with his new team, capturing the Nutana Cash in Saskatoon.

Flasch, third Catlin Schneider, second Kevin Marsh and lead Daniel Marsh went a perfect 6-0 this weekend, hammering Team Nathen Pomedli in the semifinals, 8-1, before edging Jason Jacobson in the final, 6-5. Flasch scored a single in the last end for the win.

At the Moose Jaw Cashspiel, Ryan Kleiter topped Steven Howard in the championship game, 6-2, in just four ends.

Quebec's Ghislain Doyon went 7-0 to win the Challenge Nord-Ouest Air Creebec