THE OBSERVER
ONE WHITE PREVIEW ROUND SEVENTEEN
March 23, 2006
Introduction
On paper this appears a relatively easy round from which to
select the winners. The top five sides are playing the bottom five, with four
of the top teams having home ground advantage.
However there in lies the problem
as on the one hand we have teams somewhat tense with everything to play for,
whilst their opponents are relaxed, adopting a more social attitude to the game.
This could be a recipe for upset results.
Thornlie v Kalamunda
Kalamunda
are away to Thornlie and they would be well aware two rounds ago Thornlie easily
accounted for Morley on their home green. To add to their worries, Billy Brandsma
was their only successful skipper at home last week. Another loss by Kalamunda
would put their automatic promotion in doubt, as they would probably have Morley
only a point or two adrift of them.
Kalamunda will be happy to repeat their 6/2 win of the club’s first meeting
and I tip Kalamunda led by a group of experienced skippers to win this game
which is of more importance to them than it is to Thornlie.
Morley v Warwick
Morley would be keen to repeat their 8/0 of round one, when
they were away. Both teams are coming off a win, with Morley being the more
impressive. Any hiccup by Kalamunda will give Morley, who are playing Innaloo
next week, the incentive to take every possible point out of this game.
With
their even group of skippers, Morley is my tip to sew up a top two finish.
Gosnells v North Beach
In their first meeting, Gosnells only managed two points
at North Beach and they will be looking to reverse that result. The Cruikshank
gents will be looking to get back to their best form and a win to Gosnells
will have them in a solid position for an assault on the finals.
Warwick
isn’t going anywhere,
so they may not build up too much enthusiasm for this match. A Gosnells loss
would see them out of the four, so I tip them to win this game, which is of
greater significance to them.
Safety Bay v Innaloo
Safety Bay had a 7/1 victory in their
first round at Innaloo and they’ll
be desperate for a big win hoping one of the teams above them will fall over.
Alan Holmes and Matt Massari have had very good seasons and will want to return
to the winners list.
The experienced Billies, Cox and Swarbrick, have battled on well this season
for five wins each and they would have enjoyed last week’s result. Yokine
were supposed to be the easy beats of 1 Red and they have rolled fancied teams
playing away, however my tip is Safety Bay comfortably at home.
Kardinya v Scarborough
Kardinya would be very well satisfied with the away win
opposed to Kalamunda, considering their leading skipper Tony Cocodis was
well beaten. They will hope to avenge their 2 to 6 loss against Scarborough
at their first meeting. Hugh Mackay was rumoured to be going to Melville
at the beginning of the season, however with nine wins from 13 starts as
a skip, Scarborough will be well pleased he didn’t make the move.
Kardinya
are unlikely to let this opportunity to consolidate their position slip and
in their current good form they should account for Scarborough.
The Observer---------------