Englot upends Jones to advance to Manitoba final

Michelle Englot throws a stone during the Meridian Canadian Open in North Battleford, Sask. (Anil Mungal)

Michelle Englot is through to her first Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts final in Winnipeg.

Englot secured the spot with a 9-5 win over Jennifer Jones during Saturday’s 1 vs. 1 page playoff match handing the 2014 Olympic gold medallist her first loss of the tournament.

The Regina native Englot captured seven Saskatchewan titles before joining Winnipeg’s Kate Cameron, Leslie Wilson-Westcott and Raunora Westcott this season. The trio, along with skip Kristy McDonald, fell to Kerri Einarson’s team in last year’s provincial championship game.

Jones, who went 7-0 through round-robin play, has another shot at reaching the final and plays Darcy Robertson in Sunday morning’s semifinal. Robertson clipped Shannon Birchard 7-6 in the 2 vs. 2 page playoff game.

Earlier Saturday, Robertson ensured there would be a new Manitoba women’s champion this season by knocking out Einarson in a 12-3 rout during the tiebreakers. Birchard also qualified through the tiebreaker stage hammering Cheryl Reed 11-4.

NOTES: The winner will represent Manitoba at the national Scotties Tournament of Hearts running Feb. 18-26 in St. Catharines, Ont. … Watch live coverage of the Manitoba Scotties Sunday on Sportsnet starting with the semifinal at 10 a.m. ET.

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