Jones wins third straight Scotties title

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Team Canada’s Jennifer Jones needed 11 ends to capture a third straight Canadian women’s curling championship.

Jones defeated Prince Edward Island’s Kathy O’Rourke 8-7 in an extra end in Sunday’s final at the Scottie Tournament of Hearts at the Essar Centre.

Jones, Cathy Overton-Clapham, Jill Officer and Dawn Askin will represent Canada at the Ford women’s world championship, March 20-28 in Swift Current, Sask.

Jones, who has won four Canadian titles since 2005, overcame a spunky crew from the Island for the win.

O’Rourke, who calls the game while throwing second stones, had Erin Carmody and Geri-Lynn Ramsay, who are both 21, playing on the back end.

O’Rourke was also attempting to win P.E.I.’s first ever national women’s championship. Falling short in that, O’Rourke was the first Islander skip to reach a final at the Scotties.

Jones rebounded after falling behind 6-3 in the sixth end when O’Rourke stole two. The veteran skip bounced back with one in the seventh, a steal of one in the eighth and two in the ninth when Carmody was light on a draw. Carmody tied the match 7-7 with one in the 10th end.

Jones picked out a Carmody stone in the 11th end for the win.