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ONE BLUE NORTH REVIEW

January 8, 2008 ROUND EIGHT REVIEW

After the resumption of the Christmas/New Year break we saw two results that would be described as an upset. The other three games could have gone either way but the good news for Bedford, Warwick & Doubleview is that the cards fell their way.

The first upset was Scarborough defeating the highly fancied Sorrento at Sorrento in a high standard game that was not decided until the 83rd end. The other was the North Beach “Blues” disposal of Stirling after the Stirling outfit appeared to be on a long sustained winning run prior to the break.

In my very first article this season I predicted that Stirling would be hard to beat but would not have it all their own way. After eight games they are holding onto fourth spot by only 3.5 points.

What I am trying to sneak in here is that I am not wrong all the time. Having said that, we (Scarborough) have to face Stirling on the re-bound next week.

Warwick 86 (6) (7th) def Morley 76 (2) (10th)

A good game with three very close rink results. This is nearly becoming habitual but Warwick rink skippered by Brian Friend who is having a terrific season was again the reason for the “Magpies” success.

Morley are paying the penalty for losing so many close games and whilst they sit on the bottom of the ladder I believe they are capable of beating any side on their day. What I am trying to get across is that their position on the table does not indicate how good a side they are.

I thought we (Scarborough) were lucky to beat them and in a recent conversation with a friend of mine and a selector at North Beach he also stated he still cannot believe they beat them given the position of the game mostScarborough 87 (6) (5th) def Sorrento 79 (2) (3rd) of the day.

Scarborough 87 (6) (5th) def Sorrento 79 (2) (3rd)

A very good game of bowls by anyone’s standard. Ron Kuziela and his rink returned to the form we expect from them with an aggregate winning 32-18 account over Sorrento’s best performed skipper and second best in the league John Hammond (6-2+5).

Steve Stokes whilst being defeated by Alan “Angry” Anderson 15-22 also played his part by coming from about 11 shots behind to tidy the score and aggregate up.

Adding to Sorrento’s woes was the rink of Barry Powell pulled off an unlikely win by coming from 16-22 on the 19th end to secure a 3 & 5 to get up over Neil Adams 24-22.

North Beach 87 (6) (6th) def Stirling 71 (2) (4th)

This was a very important win for the “Blues” inspired by John Coles with a whopping 27-9 win over Mark Pasalich.

Geoff Devenish continued his good run of form with a 22-15 win over Tom Norac. I certainly am not going to write anything that may enflame Stirling (because we play them next week) but their must be some cause for concern with a couple of the rinks.

That aside I still think Stirling will be right in the finish at the end of the season.

Gary Flegg Nth Beach (pictured) a quality leader and current Sfor North Beach over many years

Doubleview 81 (6) (2nd) def Wanneroo 72 (2) (1st)

Without doubt the game of the day between the two top sides. The difference in the end was that Wanneroo’s best performed rink for the season skippered by Doug Watson (5-1-1 + 31) helped himself to a 27-17 win over Winton Langdon.

On the other side of the coin the leagues best performed rink skippered by Gary Nelson (6-2 + 49) had a good wIn over Joe Pordan.

Wayne Markham Doubleview(pictured) leading in the top rink in One Blue North

An interesting sidelight was that the inclusion of star player Aaron Delaporte did not help Eddie Johnson who was beaten by Derek Bowen 21-17.

Bedford 92 (7) (8th) def Osborne Park 77 (1) (9th)

In a game where the loser could start to look at playing in a lower division next season whilst for the winner there is still some hope of avoiding a similar fate it was the fast improving Bedford who prevailed.

Bedford are starting to play well and I am sure Dave Scott skippering for the first time this season would have been very pleased. Not just because of the win but because he defeated Osborne Park most successful rink of Keith “Chalkey” White (4-3-1 +15) to boot.

Graeme Campbell set the win up with a comprehensive 29-15 success over Stan McFarlane.

My selections for this week

Sorrento to beat Bedford
Doubleview to beat Osborne Park
Warwick to beat Nth Beach
Wanneroo to beat Morley
Scarborough to DRAW with Stirling