Glenn Howard won the family battle yesterday at the Tim Hortons Brier.

The Ontario skip improved to 4-0 with a 7-4 win over New Brunswick's James Grattan, whose rink also includes third Steven Howard, Glenn Howard's nephew. The contest was jokingly referred to by some as this year's version of the family picnic.

New Brunswick (2-3) kept it close until the eighth end when Grattan tried for a double takeout but clipped a guard, allowing Ontario to score three.

"Never ever dreamed it would go that way," Glen Howard said. "I was thinking I'd have to draw to the pin ... that I was going for one. You just never know how it's going to happen. It came out of nowhere."

Manitoba's Jeff Stoughton kept pace with a 6-3 win over Quebec to move into a tie for second at 4-1.

Alberta's Kevin Koe is at 3-1 after B.C.'s Jeff Richard (2-2) handed him his first loss of the tournament. Richard picked up two in the ninth end en route to a 7-5 win in the morning draw.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Brad Gushue improved to 3-1.