Manitoba's Jennifer Jones won the Tournament of Hearts for the second time with a 6-4 nailbiter over Shannon Kleibrink at Brandt Centre in Regina on Sunday afternoon.

Jones, the 2005 champion, watched and celebrated with her team as the Alberta skip's final shot in the 10th failed to clear a key Manitoba rock.

Team Manitoba (from left) lead Dawn Askin, second Jill Officer, third Cathy Overton-Clapham and skip Jennifer Jones celebrate following their Hearts win.
(Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

"I thought it was a well-played game by both teams," Jones told CBCSports. "I missed a bad shot in the eighth end, but other than that, I thought both teams played well.

"Shannon's been making those runbacks all year against us, so unfortunately for her it didn't work out, but it worked out well for us today."

Jones ended the tournament with eight consecutive wins, although few came easy. She needed extra ends on Saturday to defeat Ontario's Sherry Middaugh 9-8.

The Manitoba team includes third Cathy Overton-Clapham, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn Askin.

They will represent Canada at the world women's curling championship beginning March 22 in Vernon, B.C., and also automatically qualify for the eight-team Olympic trials in 2009.

"I couldn't ask for any better teammates and friends. They're just awesome," Jones said. "Dawn, Jill and Cathy played great all week.... I can't say enough about them. I'm just so happy right now it's crazy."

Kleibrink came into the finals sporting an 11-1 record in her third appearance at the Hearts. The 2006 Olympic bronze medallist routed Jones 10-3 in the round robin.

It was an uncharacterstically one-sided result in a tight season series. The two women split Grand Slam finals earlier in the season.

After a conservative beginning from both teams, Kleibrink made a successful gamble with last rock in the fourth, taking out Jones' rock to stick for two and a 3-2 lead.

Trailing 5-4 in the final end, Alberta appeared in good shape when third Amy Nixon's shot cleared three stones.

But Jones came up big with her last shot, drawing near to the button and mostly buried behind a guard. Kleibrink's final shot, an attempted run-back double takeout, could only remove one rock.

"We thought we were in a good position if I made my last one," said Kleibrink. "We had a great week and did everything we could. Sometimes it doesn't work out."

Kleibrink's team also included second Bronwen Saunders and lead Chelsey Bell.

With files from the Canadian Press