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March 19, 2008
Preview One Blue South Round SEVENTEEN

What did Saturday’s results throw up? Went all as expected, with Hilton Park easily accounting for Melville by 40 shots, Spearwood won at Safety Bay, in the game of the round Manning just managed to hold on against a determined Rockingham, Vic Park belted Byford and Osborne Park trounced Midland Morrison by 40 shots.

Saturdays results again demonstrated the gap between the top five and the rest, there are now four sides with a chance of instant promotion, Hilton Park is still odds on to finish on top their next game is against Safety Bay (to be played Sunday 16th due to state commitments) with the last against Manning at the Eagles home ground, that game will be a cracker with everything at stake.

Likewise next game for Spearwood will be against Manning at the home of the Blue and Whites that game will be a belter as well both sides have a lot to lose, the last game for the Blue and Whites will be at Osborne Park this game will be of huge importance to both sides and could also decide the top spot on the table.

At the bottom of the table all interest now focused on the drop zone three sides are confirmed to go while the fourth is yet to be decided, Vic Park may have done enough to survive while Midland Morrison must be wondering what they have to do to remain in this division they battled last season to miss the demotion this year they appear destined to not survive.

Spearwood (3rd) v Manning Eagles (1st)

Spearwood return home picking up 6 points against Safety Bay, while the Eagles held on to record a one shot victory against a desperate Rockingham.

This is game of the day both sides will go all out for a win only half a point separates the two sides, in the first round Manning won by three shots in a tough encounter, against Safety Bay the Spearwood side didn’t get it all their way they needed to fight to get out of a very difficult position which could have ended their top of the table aspirations.
Manning similarly against Rockingham could have capitulated however the effort of the John Francisco rink was the stand out they won by 22 shots to cover the loss by Milan Jokic against Rocky’s Mr Reliable in John Lethlean, Spearwood against Safety Bay needed the help of the Tonko Fiamengo and Italo D’Ascenco rinks to take out the points, the Boris Yakas and Ken Nadilo rinks were well held all day, however in the closing ends both these rinks closed the gap with very good bowls to carry the aggregate.

Spearwood and Manning are very evenly matched, both sides have the talent in the skippers and both have reliable front ends this game will not be decided until the last few ends Manning will not give the game away easily with so much at stake, the home ground advantage will play a big part in this game,

the result will be Spearwood 6 / 2.

Midland Morrison (7th) v Byford (10th)

Midland return home following a blow out against Osborne Park, Byford similarly lost in a big fashion against Vic Park, this game is of major importance for Midland they still have a slim chance of evading demotion and they will be fully focused to pick up maximum points, for Byford this season will have showed them what is needed to survive and they will be better prepared next time.

the result will be Midland Morrison 8 / 0.

Rockingham (4th) v Osborne Park (3rd)

Rockingham will host Osborne Park in the other game of the round, both sides will play in the finals Osborne Park will still be eyeing of top spot and would be looking at this game for points to make that dream come true.

In the first round the Rocky boys won by 3 shots, Tony Tuckerman was at the height of his powers and Mr Reliable was just doing what comes naturally.
This time around not much has changed Tony Tuckerman has found that winning feeling again and John Lethlean just keeps on winning.

For Osborne Park Keith and Cliff Guelfi together with Rance Dewson ensure the Park are always in the mix. The Rockingham surface on a windy day will test most sides, Osborne Park will have to hope for a late sea breeze or all hope will be blown away.

Rob Lawrence Osborne Park (pictured) A very handy player doing a great a great job playing two for Cliff Guelfi

A win for Rockingham will reopen the chance at top spot albeit it a slim chance while on the other hand should Osborne Park win they are in with a real shot at the coveted top spot with the last game of the season against Spearwood, a guaranteed draw card event, given that the Rocky boys had the measure of the Park in the first round and the way the home side have regrouped in the last few weeks

the result will be Rockingham 6 / 2.

Melville (8th) v Vic Park (6th)

Melville will be home for the second game in a row although this will make not difference to the result.
Vic Park will see this game as a way of guaranteeing they will not be demoted come the last game of the season, Melville will look to the next season to regroup and Vic Park will be hoping to be a part of One Blue North to see how they fare in that competition, this game will be a walk over for the Park

the result will be Vic Park 7 /1.

Hilton Park (2nd) v Safety Bay (9th)

This game was played on Sunday 16th March due to David Opie's state commitments, Hilton Park is playing confidently at the right time of the season they are coming of a major win against Melville with all rinks playing consistently, Safety Bay on the other hand have Michael St Jack and John Mulhall providing any consistency, this will not be enough for the visitors the home side have too much skill in the top end and this will ensure a big win for the Hilton side,

the result on Sunday actually was a blow out!! Hilton Park won by in excess of 80 points for an impressive 8 / 0 result to catapult them onto the top of the table.