January 30, 2008
Preview One Blue South Round ELEVEN

The start of the second round delivered more surprises; Midland Morrison toppled ladder leader Rockingham on their rug! that has to be the upset of the year, the previous week Midland disposed of Vic Park that’s three on end for the Midland boys.
Continuing with the upsets Melville stopped Manning that is also three on end for the Magic, the wins by the sides in the bottom half of the ladder is adding renewed interest this can only be good for the competition.

Vic Park bounced back against Safety Bay stopping their losing streak while the other two games went as expected. The break for the State Singles will give the clubs time to reassess their playing stocks and plan for the sprint to the finish.

Midland Morrison v Spearwood


Midland returns home following their great win against a seemingly unbeatable Rockingham, they will host Spearwood who have won their last two games in convincing fashion.

Ken Nadilo Spearwood (pictured) playing his part in Spearwood's rise to the top of the ladder

Midland have had very good contributions from the three rinks of Ben Marino, Martin Wattleworth and Alan Southern, the break will give the home side time to plan for this most important game, a loss will see them lose their momentum to climb out the relegation zone, a win will place more pressure on the Melville side sitting in seventh place.

Spearwood find themselves top of the table thanks to the effort of the Midland side in the last game, for the Spearwood side the next few games will decide their future, Boris Yakas continues to lead from the front, his ability to dominate games provides the inspiration for the visitors, their other rinks continue to improve a win in this game will ensure they retain top spot,

the result will be close Spearwood 5 / 3.

Manning v Safety Bay

Manning will host Safety Bay; the Eagles lost surprisingly to a revitalised Melville first game of 2008, this game will not follow the same script, the Eagles at home will be a totally different prospect, in the first round at Safety Bay Manning picked up six points with Peter Bowden and Milan Jokic providing the foundation for the good win, this time around the Motivator and the Cornerstone will combine again to upset the visitors.

Safety Bay are staring down the barrel for relegation, this game will not help their cause, Safety Bay will not have the credentials to topple the home side.

the result will be Manning 7 / 1

Byford v Hilton Park

Byford at home to a confident Hilton Park, the games don’t get any easier for the Byford side, each week brings a fresh challenge. Byford are languishing at the bottom of the table and season end can’t come soon enough, while for the Hilton side this will provide valuable points to maintain the position in the top four.

Dominic Milbourne Hilton Park (pictured) very good third in Brad Ball's rink

Hilton has their regular contributors in the form of David Opie, Travis Simpson and Brad Ball who has been on fire for the last few weeks. This game will test the Hilton Park side in using the UBD road directory but that’s about all;

the result will be Hilton Park 7 / 1.

Osborne Park v Melville

Osborne Park return to home territory following two unproductive weeks on the road, they will relish playing on their familiar surface, Melville will bring their best form to this game following three very good performances.

In the first round the Park ran out winners by 9 shots, this time around it will be closer than most think; Phil Simonetti is having a positive impact on the Melville side which is showing in the results.

Both these two sides sit middle of the table and will be looking to this game to improve their chances, for Osborne Park the Guelfi’s and Rance Dewson will provide the impetus, these key players will determine the result of this game, Melville will find the going much tougher and they must stay close in the early part of the game or face the consequences,

the result will be Osborne Park 6 / 2.

Vic Park v Rockingham

Vic Park will host Rockingham in the game of the day, the Park were too good against Safety Bay picking up 6½ valuable points, while the Rocky boys lost to Midland Morrison, this game will provide plenty of interest and a pointer to the make up of the final five.

If Vic Park lose, they will open the door to Osborne Park a win will keep their interest, for Rockingham the last game loss will sharpen their focus, Bob Costello was a surprise absentee his return should ensure normal transmission is returned quickly,

For the Park the Keitel rink has steadied the ship, more of the Park players will have to be at their best form to stop a confident Rockingham. In the first round the Park won by one shot and picked up seven valuable points, the visitors will be reminded of this by Mr Reliable John Lethlean, the result will be a tight finish with Rockingham winning by a small margin to return the favour;

the result will be Rockingham 6 / 2.