It was close, but no cigar for the New Zealand junior men's
curling team in China yesterday.
New Zealand lost to Korea 4-8 in the play-off for second and
third at the Pacific junior men's championships at Harbin and
narrowly missed a spot for the world championships.
The winner, Korea, gained automatic entry to the world
championships at Vancouver, Canada, in March and will also
play China for the gold medal.
But it was still a significant performance by the Central
Otago and Maniototo-based team to get a bronze medal in
international competition for the first time.
The inspirational leadership of skip Kris Miller (Ranfurly)
played a key role in getting New Zealand on the podium when
it outplayed Japan 14-3 in the play-off on Tuesday.
The other members of the team were Matt Weir and Elliott
Morgan (Central Otago), Tim Miller (Ranfurly) and Lachlan
Browne (Kyeburn).
New Zealand started the championships in style and caused a
major upset by beating home team China 6-5 at the
championships at Harbin.
But it then lost four games in a row and looked to be out of
the medal count.
Two of the losses, to Korea and Japan, were by just one point
and the players realised that if the "dice" went their way
they could still win a medal.
The crucial games were on Tuesday, when New Zealand beat
Korea 8-7 to end the round robin format tied with Japan.
New Zealand lifted its game to outplay Japan 14-3 to get a
play-off spot against Korea yesterday.
The result ensured New Zealand at least a bronze medal.
Tim Miller was an accurate lead and played a vital role by
putting his first stone in the circle to provide a good
foundation.
Morgan played an important role in the middle by adding to
the count or putting in blocks.
He is the son of former New Zealand curling representative
and former Otago rugby halfback Richard Morgan.
New Zealand results
From the championships
v China won 6-5
v Japan lost 4-8
v Korea lost 6-7
v China lost 6-8
v Japan lost 10-11
v Korea won 8-7
v Japan won 14-3
v Korea lost 4-8
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