Calgary Herald from Calgary, Alberta, Canada • 48

Till: CAMiAKY IlKKAM) MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1977 SPORTS PAGE 48 Montreal Brier ended up as Jim Ursel Week Reed, Johnny Usackis and Los Rogers are prime witnesses. Usackis wound up 6-5, too, gassing 10 complete shots for a per cent effort is losing II to Fredericton's Holy Mockler, of all people. Then there was Rogers, who reminded a lot of Saskatchewan people of Roger Anholt even though Rogers won two more games. But Les was short on a last-rock draw in the lOlh to surrender (i-7 to Ken MacDonald of Spud Island and going in. Ken had won once In III starts.

Wayne Hamilton, the shotmaking spindle from Newfoundland, followed Jack Mac-Duff's lead and beat everybody west of the Lakehead in this Brier. That record was firm once Don Twa surrendered 6 8 on the final draw. LINESCORES PAGE 55 1 5 and that gave us a chance to build confidence." A transplant in l72 from Manitoba, Ursel never has been one lo overstate the curling situation in this province. "It's not that good, but this may help," he said. "No, despite the fact western learns have had (rouble at recent Briers, I know they have (lie best curlers.

I don't know why the western teams have been struggling, unless It's that they aren't used lo good Ice. Curling ice in Quebec Is three times belter than anything In the west. It's a real ego-builder." In addition to the past four Briers, Ursel has a fifth Purple Heart gleaned as third for Norm Houck of inning in Houck lost to Hec (iorvais In the first game of a three-way playoff won by F.rnic Richardson at Kitchener. Lobel. II, Is a CIL engineer and has been with Ursel at the lasl three Briers, plus two earlier with Bill Kent who has since returned to Manitoba.

Aitken. has followed the same history as latbcl. lie's a Tillsonburg, native who's in textiles. The hometown skip expressed pleasant surprise at the crowds, which, they say. averaged close to I.ihmi for draws although there has been no official crowd count.

"They were faulustic. especially because they were cheering for us." said Ursel. "It was lough on Roy tVinlhers). They wen on him from the moment he won eight in a row." During Friday's Ursel Vlnthers collision, the roar of crowd prompted a guy to look for (iuy Lafleur out on the ice rather lhan Jim Ursel. There was thai much din.

SWING OF THE ICE Vlnthers lied for second with Savage and both will play in Ibe next year's CBC tournament along wilh Ursel Joe Power. Newfie third, was winner of the Ross llarclouc Memorial Award, a sort of Mr. Congeniality choice The press all star vole went lo skip Ursel. third latbel, second. Lionel Stokes of the Territories and lead Ron Collez of Manitoba.

The writer's choice at lead was Vic Rogers of Saskatchwean Team percentages for the week: Quebec 71. Manitoba 72. Saskatchewan. Albcrla. B.C..

Ontario 70. Territories 87. Newfoundland Wi. P.K I. 65, Northern Ontario 61 New Brunswick 63.

Nova Scotia 59 For the champs. Ursel was 78 per cent on the week, laibcl 7s. Aitken 71 and Ross 6.1 Alberta's totals: Tom Reed 68. Kevin Bjnie 71. Tony Kankel 71.

Urne Heed Ilec (Jenais. Ihe last western skip to win the Brier said (he difference here was an ability to adjust lo ever-changing ice. "Nobody from the wesl was able lo do thai lor the whole week," said the giant By Larry Wood (Herald stall writer) MONTKKAL La Belle Province's first-ever Brier winner is nut, repeat not, bilingual. So much for the myth that Quebec's only heroes speak French. James W.

Ursel, in fact, isn't even a native of this province, neither is third Art Lobel nor second Don Aitken. So 30-year-old Air Canada passenger agent Brian Ross, the lead, is the rink's president in charge of etiquette around homo. lie's from Arvida originally, and he can warble the language. It ulways figured to be Ursel, of course, sooner or later. And ft came luter, which h.id some people wondering bwause few Brier winners connect as lale us their fourth try.

Few get four tries. In fact Ursel ranks along side only two other skips Ron Nor-theott and Bob Pickering who have played in four consecutive Briers. But the writing was on the Velodrome wall early last week that if there was any-body here with a chance to regain world curling prestige for Canada, it was probably t'rsel, Unlike olher years he got off to a brisk start, winning four. And, for the start, he was operating wilh a vice-skip who couldn't sweep for fear of additional back injuries which would hamper an so per cent shooting efficiency. We didn't miss the sweeping that much, t'rsel said Salurday.

"It probably helped Art's curling, also it isn't as bothersome plaving 10 ends as it would have Urn playing 12." Thai was something else. By Brier time nobody remembered they were seeing the first ItMnd Brier. And, like I be Console before il. the shortened version was an improvement. Not so.

however in the area of it surfaces. The gigantic Velodrome was not conducive to producing foolproof curling ice conditions. There were descrepancies in the opinions on the ice. even during Saturday's final round which, except for (Quebec's walkaway from an Inept Nova Scotia team, offered western teams at their poorest. Alberta's Tom Beed bit the bottom of the t.mk Saturday, shooting (I per cent in a 2 8 defeat to I'aul Savage of Ontario.

It was Reed's third straight setback and he wound up with the same record (H S) that Wayne Skolosky managed a year ago. Alberta's team shooting average in this one was 17, The usually immaculate vice-skip. Kevin Byrne, was 31 per cent. Skip Hi-ed had nine complete whiffs In eight ends. If there's anything like a round robin to tear down a team's confidence people like Hamilton, in fact, won seven, just two less than McDuff, and the only guy boat New fie and went on to fare bettor was Savage who shared runner-up honors with Roy Vintners at 8-3.

The olher Newfie setbacks were at the hands of Sudbury's Rusty Tale, Nova Scotia's Fitzner and Mockler, all of them difficult to fathom. But this was Jim Ursel Week in Montreal and now, for the first time, there's a two-week break before this team heads into the Silver Broom battle In Sweden. "That extra time off will be welcome." Ursel sas saying. "We'll have a chance to cool off. Actually, we're a pretty steady team, we're not inconsistent anyway.

But the added time helps you mentally prepare yourself." Defending world champion Bruce Roberts of llibbing, has qualified to defend the title as U.S. champ. None of the lough KuroHan entries are as yet known. "Roberts is a good curler, he's a lough as there'll be over there I would imagine." Ursel said. The to-year-old Air Canada personnel supervisor played Roberts twice in CBC curling finals last spring and lost both matches.

Ursel said Saturday's 13th round test with Fitnor was "one of the few games in my life 1 haven't enjoyed." "I just wanted to get it over with," ho added. Fltner helped in that regard in giving up three in the third end to fall behind I I. In all. Ursel out-shot Fitner 717 and the (Quebec team nutcurlcd Die Btuenosers 71 52. Ursel won his last five after suffering one point losses to Reed in overtime and to Hamilton In a game which the Quebec skip says was his team's poorest uf the week.

"We're Usually steadier but we had that one letdown." he said. "Still, we got a great draw, a couple of lesser teams to start with if. 51 ft JIM URSEL SET HIS SIGHTS ON BRIER VICTORY th Montrool tkippor won it oil with fust two lottos Gowsell lucky and undefeated ft: IS I) 'X. k. A mm I URSEL AND COMPANY HOIST SPOILS OF VICTORY (from loft) Brian Rots, Don Aitkon, Art Lobel and Urtol WATCHING A SHOT AT THE TANKARD SLIP AWAY Roy Vinthrt hod tho by and could only obitrvo oction WINNIPHf; tCI'l -Paul Cowsell considers himself bit ky to be undele-aled after Ibe first day of Ibe Canadian men's junior curling championships.

"The eompchitnn here. Judging from the two Marl lime rinks we played, is belter than il was two years ago in Fdninnlon." said Ihe 19 star old All ria skip. "We're not curling a well a we should be and we're lucky to la- when we an." (iowsrll and hi Calgary foresonte had a 2 0 record, along with Manitoba. Brit sh Columbia and Ontario following some excellent sbol making on Ihe fast ice al TraitsctHta Curling Club, Alla-rta defeated F.mery Rohldotix of New Brtin it 65 in an extra end In Ihe opening round and got past stubborn Jelf Thomas of Newfoundland IUH in the second by lott'tting Ihn-e iKt lb' final end (iowsell, who won Ibt world Junior litle last year al Aviemore. Scotland, was u)it wilh his own rink, whith tonsss nf two new ioiners third John Fer ennui and second iMig Mi Farlaue along wilh vile ran lead Kelly Mcarttc We weren't making the shots when we should have and we didn't really put oof game together al ail." said liowsell, who wtm the Calgary Super league this veaf wilh hi former world junior champions "We're going to start curling bell er and it's possible that we could go undefeated be cause there is some t-xperi eote on this rink." Bob Mgurdsoii of Maul loba looked like a serious halleni'er lo (iowsell as his rink easily won Its first two games.

Manitoba slopped Sonny (irccnl.iiid nl the Termor ies 7 I In eight ends in the first round and Alain tUV of tjuchec ID I III Mill. ends In Ihe sii oml round, leaving (JiicIh-c wmless (iary Smart of North Vain inner had Iwn i lose games as the lirillsli Co lumlil.i rink eitged Peter Jenkins of Crime l.dw.trd Islantl 7 6 in the lirst roiiiul and the Territories i In Ihe set ond Brian htikiv of tularin had a laugher In Ihe firsl round, beating Oilebec 3 in nine ends, but bad lo make a tluiih lastnak shot In Ihe set ond round to defeat (Jreg RleUe of Northern Ontario I In nl lu set ond round games. New Brunswick evened lis record al I I In gelling past Sent I Saunders ol Nova Nulla -V I and P.F. I also vetted Ms rec ord by edging Itu Nt hnei tier of bewail ti Also In Ihe opening found, Nov a Scotia tleleal ed S.iskati bewan I and New loiindland downed Northern Ontario 7 6 in an extra end Jim COLEMAN of the few Tigers who was retired without a bit yesterday. He popped tail lo shallow enin field In Ihr first Inning and he reached first basi- on a fielder's choice In Ihe third inning, al which Juncture be charged Into Mufti and Sped off In the dint lion of the airport.

The kindest thing which could be said about three young gentlemen who pitched against Toronto yesterday-Is that their future still lies ahead of them The Irto smrts sinh household names as Fernando Army, trt-orge Cappucllo and Bob Syke All nr lolled in the minors last season and not one of them managed lo win as many games as be lost Cappocllii was so wild lhal he gave Ihe Impression thai some enwbov had roped bint while be was running loose on Ihe range only last week And, nhvioiisly, he still Is so untamed lhal no one has dared lo shoe him Nevertheless. Blue Jays managed lo gel a total of only eight hits off Ibis sterling trio and lite Tiger farmlands wen leading HI In Ihe seventh Inning before Ihe Tomn In stored two runs and made Ihe final store a fairly re spin table 6 .1 None of Ihe above Is Intended as snide rliii Imh of Canada's new entry in the American Baseball league Bui, Ihe Canadian public should not be derided This is an expansion leant, stocked with platers who weren't deemed capable of rat king Ihe lineup of att of Hie oilier clubs In Ihe Anient an la'ague If this Toronto MU.id wins more lhan ai games In Hir regular season. Ihe federal goerntto-nl in (Miawa should declare a national holiday Last Friday's historic dtboi. In whkh Blue Jays de fealed New York Met, should he a memory whnb Is cherished by Blue Jay fans in those moment td atuie distress whit will be frequent In Ihe turning seven months. In Ihe press bos last Friday, a New York hasehall writer peered compasslonalely al Ihe claled Canadian scribes and he warned.

"Pon'l be bailed by litis win The Mel won Ihelr first preseason eshiltilton wlrn Ihey were admitted lo Ibe National league In Cmi But. thai same season. Ihey won only forty league game, whith Is Ihe worst record ever tompiled by an expansion learn." Toronto manager Roy Harfsfield and Ihe patient mem Iters nl his ro.it hiog staff are Intelligent nn In Ihelr present tliletoota. Ihey are allempiing In do something that an inlelbgenl coach of a major league hockey espan slmt leant would do in Ibe same inurnstan es Toe are attenipling In mould a stnmg defensive unit whith will provide Blue Ja with a bil of resi lahilily In their games against stronger opponents llarlsheld's lailMs may rontpan-d wilh those of Toitt Mi ie, wImi cojihes Washington Capitals in Ihe MIL llartslield Is saving, In fleil "Pla voor rtVfcn sive Niilions staindly. Iry In keep Ihe oilier learn from Moriug and.

mavU'. we might gel lucky and snre a few runs ourselves ll.irl li. hi thmrv is praittral but. regrt llahlv. his d-fensike ttiol hroke down mt asionally agalosi Mif)i uta Twins tn Saturday.

Pilihittg Is the kev lo any di fern Toriailn's pili hing Isn't ovt rtsiwering tin he charttablci And, where a rait her makes two errors in a sinele inning one menial and lite other methanital oi as unlortoo i'. rme Hhill coitimltled In Saturday seVrntli inn.nt: he rnt ollapsf' The twins, ttolik' I Ik'cfs. rt'dn'l patronise Tnfofl In' struggling csM'islon Irani The Twin fielded llnir firl stringer int hiding their two Ameriian league all star, balling hamiio Hod Carew anil IIm- brillianl yming tali Iter. Wvmgar Fitfthermnrr. lt- Twin kept Carrw and Wvnegar in Ibe lim'ttp Ihrooghottl Ihe en lire nine inning, even after hry had aliitf lite Came wilh a fmtr run wiiburM In Ibe seventh The Minnesoia management deserve full mark for sportsmanship Tbey didn't Irtal Blue Jay a Johnny rnttie lalrlie to their league Minnesota Twin management reali'e lhal Ibe Jay aren't going In bet urne ompelillve In Ihe Amerkan la ague unles lin b'arn to play major league baseball bv plaving daily agalnsl Ihe very best nppmiiion lhal the labliabed team ran pmvlile.

A po nu Ihiwe palnmilng clotl fmtn tviroll Mow. now I dofl Yfeel a damn" bil sorry lhal Ihe Toronto Maple laaf clobbered Ihe helpless 14 full Bed Wing. ItloO, In bis krv. Dt NLDIN, The oimg TodhiIo Blue Jays learned some of the soln rln fad of life thii p.nt week eml a they were chastened by Mlnm-nila Twins and a team of thurlish farmhands. iitaocradlng as tMrolt Ti gers On afternoon In humid Orlando.

Blue Jays, who still were on cloud nine after Friday's victorious debut aiiainsl the New York JWrls, wen- bark In earth Villi a Ihump when tin- Minnesola Twins waxed them, 7 lo 2 And. their own lnudftiitM ie were demonstrated lo Hu dearly yiMenl.iv when the Toronto hall plaers re hiiKl. cl ralher lonihisHely by the minor league pilthlng which the iHlroil "It leant Ihrew al litem. The nteae was tlear: If Ihe BIim- Ja an'l handle niirmr league pllt hlng. i us pra Ih.tl ihey aren'l (mmedialelv aw js compiled In face Tigers' Mark Ftdrwh, Vlda Blue of ilikland.

Jim Palmer of Ballimon' or Catfish Hunter of Ihe New York Yankee. Wilh lo ecrpllon. II was slrlcily a minor league 1ML PORTS INTERNATIONAL COLLECTION i aoml. ir ie SI lV ib-omi i lIllMi 0 lll llil.l. KilliHH III lMi 'ii I I oil.

Jdt I Sl an em lineup which Tigers deployed on CJranl Field yesterday. The rurepijnns were raliher Brucr Klmm. who work rd behind Ihe bal In 6.1 of tel roll's league games lasl season, and our old friend. Busly Slanb. who used lo provide an aura of rrspec lability for the Montreal K.po franchise from pxfl Ihmueh 1M7I 1' Grand Orange dropped Into thmedin only briefly on his way lo makr a plane ronnecllon al Tampa airport Ttiis was regrrllablp for our siile hern use Rusty was one.