It's been a Dickensian-type tale of two tournaments for the Island rinks representing B.C. at the M&M Meat Shops Canadian Junior Curling Championships in Napanee, Ont.

It's been the best of times on the women's side for the Kesa Van Osch rink from Nanaimo, but the worst of times on the men's side for the winless Josh Hozack rink from Victoria.

Van Osch, Nova Scotia's Emily Dwyer and Manitoba's Shannon Birchard are tied for second at 4-1 in the women's standings following Van Osch's 9-4 victory Monday afternoon over Sarah Fullerton of Prince Edward Island in the eighth draw. Van Osch trailed 4-2 before rallying to level in the sixth end and pulling away in the latter stages.

"It's an amazing start for us here at the national tournament. We're doing better than we thought we'd do," said Van Osch, by phone from Napanee.

"We're playing our game and not letting the opposition make us play theirs."

Neither Van Osch nor Jocelyn Peterman of Alberta, who leads the standings at 5-0, played in Monday night's ninth draw.

Van Osch is backed by sisters Kalia and Marika Van Osch at third and second, respectively, and Brooklyn Leitch on lead with Jim Newlands coaching. The unique sibling make-up of the Nanaimo rink has drawn attention at the nationals.

"It's very special to be here with my sisters," said Kesa Van Osch.

"It's become a popular topic around here [among fans and officials]."

Van Osch plays Taryn Williams of the Northwest Territories this morning in the 10th draw.

"The key going forward is for us to be consistent," said Van Osch.

Meanwhile, Hozack dropped to 0-5 following Monday's 8-7 loss in the 11th end to Alex Matters of Prince Edward Island.

"It's a lot different than what we're used to in terms of ice and atmosphere," said Hozack.

"But we've been playing better and hope to get a couple of wins through the rest of the week."

The Todd Troyer-coached Hozack rink - with Corey Chester shooting third, Nolan Reid second and Zachary Capron lead - meets Daniel Murray of the Northwest Territories today in the 10th draw.

Brendan Bottcher of Alberta was the lone undefeated men's rink at 5-0 after Monday night's ninth draw.

The top-three teams from each of the men's and women's standings advance to the playoff round with the first-place team advancing directly to the final.

The TSN-televised national junior women's final is at 4 p.m. Saturday and the men's at 4 p.m. Sunday.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com