Team Bryden edges Belgium in World Senior Men’s Championship opener
A return trip to New Brunswick began in the same way the last trip ended for Team Randy Bryden on Saturday night — with a victory.
Team Bryden, from Regina, captured gold at the Everest Canadian Senior Men’s Championship in December in Moncton, N.B. Saturday night at Willie O’Ree Place in Fredericton, Team Bryden opened the 2025 World Senior Championships with a 6-3 extra-end win over Belgium’s Team Stefan Van Dijck.
The four months of preparation, not to mention anticipation, paid off for Bryden, vice-skip Troy Robinson, second Russ Bryden, lead Chris Semenchuck and alternate Glen Hill, although it was a tighter game than expected.
“They played it very simple, and I mean for us, we haven’t played for over a month, so it was fine,” said Randy Bryden. “We were just playing it open and they just kept it open as well. But then the thing is, when you keep it an open game, the score is close — we had control but they had a good last end and they made a couple good shots and then we go to the extra end.”
In fact, the Belgians were in a decent position to steal the win in the eighth end, with two stones buried in the four-foot, but Bryden made a wonderful double-takeout with his first shot. Van Dijck drew to the back four-foot with his final stone, but Bryden’s game winner with backing was light, and it forced the extra end
But in the extra, Canada was in control and Bryden had an open hit to win the game and count three.
“You learn more on a close game than you do on one when it’s a lopsided affair,” said Bryden. “They played well today; they made the majority of their shots, and they played very high averages.”
Both of Canada’s senior teams will be in action Sunday at Willie O’Ree Place.
The Alberta-based Canadian women’s team of skip Atina Ford Johnston, vice-skip Shannon Morris, second Sheri Pickering, lead Cori Morris and coach/alternate Lesley McEwen will make its debut against Japan’s Team Miyako Yoshimura at 7 a.m. (all times Eastern).
Team Bryden, meanwhile, returns to the ice Sunday at 7 p.m. against Portugal’s Team Vitor Santos (0-1).
There is no streaming coverage planned for the World Senior Championships. For the latest scores, draw and list of teams, CLICK HERE.
