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April 2, 2008

Preview One Blue South Round EIGHTEEN

Saturdays results has all but confirmed the final five sides for the finals action all the interest now is in which side can take of the coveted top position and immediate promotion to One White; three sides are in the running Hilton Park on top and two points clear to Manning, while Osborne Park sit a further two points behind Manning; all this makes for an interesting last round for these three sides.

At the other end of the table relegation awaits the lower sides, three sides are confirmed with one to be decided it will be determined by the two sides who will be playing each other on the day, Vic Park will host Midland Morrison in one of the games of the day to decide who will fill the last of the relegation spots. The past round has provided a number of surprises Manning upset Spearwood to set up a tremendous clash at the home of the Eagles next Saturday against top side Hilton Park, while Osborne Park travelled to Rockingham and caused another upset to pick up 7 points to catapult them into third spot and a chance of taking out the top of the table spot.

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

Osborne Park returns home picking up seven crucial points against Rockingham, while Spearwood struggled against a focused Manning side, the Park has now set up this game as one of the crucial last qualifying game of the season, all the sides in contention will be eyeing of the chance to go through without having to fight out for the second promotion spot; the Park will fancy themselves as a big chance to do this, with the likes of the Keith and Cliff Guelfi and Rance Dewson to provide the fire power they will be very confident that they will get maximum points from this game, if they do this it will need a blow out at the other key game between Manning and Hilton Park to take the crown of them.

Spearwood on the other hand will be very disappointed to lose their first game at home last weekend; it took a very polished performance from the Eagles to bring that about. Spearwood will now have to focus on the finals action to earn the right to promotion to One White, in the first round Spearwood won by ten shots and picked up seven points, this time around the home side will look to turning the tables, the Osborne Park side have everything to play for, the club has looked at One Blue South as the easier entry into One White and will be very disappointed if their decision is not justified at season end, this game will be hotly contested by both sides

the result will be Spearwood 6 / 2.

Manning Eagles (2nd) v Hilton Park (1st)

Manning will host Hilton Park in the game of the round and possibly game of the season, this is a final for both sides, win this game and you go straight into One White, lose and you will host the finals on home turf and yes you will get the double chance but there are no guarantees so plenty at stake for both sides.

In the first round it was a draw on the score board and both sides took four points from the game, what are the chances of this happening again? This time around if that occurs again Osborne Park will be over the moon it will open the door for them, I can’t see it happening, Manning were very good against Spearwood a number of the Hilton side were at that game (as they had completed their game the previous week due to David Opie playing in the state side), and the strong performance by the Eagles would not have gone unnoticed.

Hilton Park have won eight games straight to justify their top spot on the table, while the Eagles have recorded three wins on end their last loss to Osborne Park, their form is good at present but will that be enough to stop a confident Hilton Park, they haven’t played since 16th March the break may work against them, while Manning will be much better having played last weekend.
The Manning club is hosting the Ladies Sides Championship so the greens will be in typical top condition for this clash, both sides will go all out for this game the distraction for both these sides will be in the other game as to how Osborne Park is travelling, they will be aware they can’t control that result however human nature as it is this will dwell on the mind of the players, the result will be as good as the first round with Hilton Park just taking out the game 6 / 2.

Vic Park (6th) v Midland Morrison (7th)

Vic Park return home following a blow out against Melville and taking only one point from that game, while Midland Morrison just fell over the line against Byford to pick up six valuable points and set this game as game of the season for both sides; the Park needs to win this encounter to survive into next season similarly Midland must win this game and take away a minimum of five points to remain in One Blue next season, Midland has turned this into an art form.
Last year they were in a similar position and survived that cut off in a same fashion. Vic Park have hovered around the middle of the table most of the season Midland have been in a similar boat, neither side has been able to put enough together to guarantee their survival so all will go on the line in this contest.

In the first round Midland crunched the Park to the tune of 24 points and a 7-1 result, the Park will be very keen to reverse that result and put the que back in the rack for another tilt next season, Midland has been in survival mode for two seasons now and the toll could tell, lose this encounter and they must regroup in second division, survive and they could end up in Blue North next season where their chances may be greater; the Vic Park side at home is a better proposition, they will win this encounter
the result will be Vic Park 6 / 2.

Byford (9th) v Rockingham (5th)

Byford will host Rockingham for their last game in this division, they will be keen to end the season on a winning note, while the Rockingham side who at the start of the season were unbeatable will be looking to end the qualifying rounds in a winning frame of mind to set up for the crucial finals action.

For Byford the experience in playing in this division will be of enormous help for their next season this game could have not come soon enough, they will have to regroup and perhaps recruit some players to make a better show next time.

Rockingham must be rueing their chances earlier in the season they were unstoppable then the wheels fell off; all is not lost however in this new format for promotion so a win in this game will bring back that winning feeling and what happens next is anyone’s bet! The Rocky boys still look to John Lethlean to set up the game, in this encounter they boast too much talent for the home side, and

the result will be Rockingham 7 / 1.

Safety Bay (10th) v Melville (8th)

In the last game of the round home side Safety Bay will host Melville, both clubs have struggled all year, they will have to start afresh next season in second division, this game will bring no joy to either club it will bring an end to a disappointing season for Safety Bay both in One White and now in the One Blue, similarly Melville will have to regroup dropping out of One Red and now One Blue as well; for both clubs next season will be all about rebuilding, in this game the home side will prevail

the result will be Safety Bay 6 / 2.