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August 2 2008


From the pen of Andy



LEEMING

The luck of the Irish – half a point outside the relegation zone and the last game against Bassendean and wouldn’t you know, it RAINED.

Survival by prayer, good luck or simply a bloody good rain dance. Sure as god made little eggs, had this game been played out it would have been a belter. Bassendean at home to Leeming – half a point behind with a better percentage (albeit marginal) and both clubs having everything to play for.

Perhaps this game should be replayed the week before pennants start as a pre-cursor to the season. To put some spice into it allow the loser to be relegated. I would certainly be there to watch that one – it would be a ripper of a way to start the season.

Stop dreaming Andy – something like that would never be allowed to happen – what a pity.

Maybe, as we have finals at the end of the year for the strong clubs, perhaps at the start of the following year we should have a relegation round robin out of the six clubs remaining to determine just who the four are that disappear – that would certainly make for an interesting start to the season!

“Might go home and run that one past Flo – see what she thinks”

Anyway, back to Leeming, we all know the last game was a draw therefore Basso went and Leeming stayed for another season at least.

Leeming’s fall from Red a couple of seasons back and the subsequent player drain that occurs – has left bowling stocks very thin on the ground. Like most clubs Leeming has a few very good bowlers however the balance of a strong sixteen is compromised here because of a very long tail.

Not sure whether this club has had any success with the odd recruit for the coming season, we can only hope they have. If the same crew line up it is almost certain that they will be booking a spot somewhere in the bottom four – a position they (with the assistance of the weather) avoided by the smallest of margins last season.

The four down four up scenario is making life very uncertain for clubs that produce marginal performances. In years past a club could have a bad run for some part of the year and still hang around, that is no longer the case. At least nine games need to be won to go close to avoiding the dreaded relegation zone. This year Leeming did it with 8 wins and 2 draws. Don’t believe those numbers will keep you there next season.

There is no Gosnells this year and who knows how strong the newcomers will be. Melville, Bedford, Stirling, Wanneroo, Ossie Park and Hilton are in and all of these clubs should perform as well if not better than some of last years bottom dwellers. Life will be tough for Leeming this year.

Good luck to Danny and his mates, sure as heck – you will need it.

Leeming finishing somewhere in the bottom four is Andy’s guess – prove me wrong please guys.

Tarah