---------------------FOR QUALITY SERVICE RING ROD KANE 92429000-------------------
March 27, 2009
PREVIEW ROUND EIGHTEEN
LAST WEEKEND AND THE LAST ROUND
The top four is now cast in stone – the bottom four is pretty much wide open save for Leeming and possibly Melville.
Osborne Park beat Thornlie 7/1 giving Thornlie plenty to play for in the last game of the year.
Wanneroo helped them selves to an 8/0 win over Hilton Park and in doing so provide the Roos with an opportunity to save White this season.
Bedford picked up just half a point from their encounter with Morley.
With just 4.5 points separating fifth from eighth spot – games in the last round take on some great significance. So on with the preview of round 18.
HILTON PARK V OSBORNE PARK
Wanneroo’s big win last week has given new life to the clubs ambition of retaining White. Just half a point away from sixth spot and playing this years wooden spooners – has provided a brilliant script for the visitors to save White this coming Saturday.
Can Leeming do the impossible and win their second game for the year? Lord knows they would love another aggregate to add to what has been a very tough year for the Lions.
The Roos will be taking their “A” game to Leeming this weekend and should come away with the points thus keeping the club in White for another year.
For me it is Wanneroo 7/1 by 15 shots.
MORLEY V MELVILLE
Morley will be keen to make sure they win this encounter and retain second spot and the double chance in the playoffs.
Try as I may it is hard to make a case for a Melville win.
Some of the stalwarts down on Canning Highway may see things differently and one must wish them luck – however Melville will need more than luck if they are to trouble the scorer on Saturday.
Morley has had a Stella season and should record a comfortable victory in round 18.
Morley 7/1 by 25 shots.
MOSMAN PARK V STIRLING
First hosts third – should be a great game. Mossies have been the standout team in White this year and should win on Saturday ensuring this club’s promotion to Red next season.
Stirling has also produced well this year and should give a fair account of themselves on Mossies greens. However without Mark Pasalich their playing stocks are weakened a little – Mark is a solid performer and would be missed by any club – therefore it is hard to make a case for a win by Stirling.
For mine it is Mosman Park 7/1 by 20 shots.
THORNLIE V BEDFORD
This is the game of the day with survival in White being the prize for the winner and depending on other results – almost certainly the loser will be relegated.
Both Bedford and Thornlie lost last week to top four clubs – these two are separated by just half a point with Thornlie having the better percentage (which may come into play in the final wash-up).
Thornlie has been more than competitive at home all season and should go into Saturday’s match confident of a win.
When these two clubs met in round 9 Bedford ran out winners by 14 shots with McKenzie’s rink being the big offenders going down by some 26 shots.
Providing the home side keep it tight – they have enough talent to win this match.
Bedford is more than capable of an upset here and Cliff Graybrook will be certain to have his boys cranked up for a big performance, can they do it?
Have to go with the home team here and predict a win by Thornlie 6/2 by around 10 shots.
STIRLING V LEEMING
Third versus last – should be the mismatch of the century – they could play it in the car park and the visitors would still have difficulty troubling the scorer.
Lost only one at home this year, how could you go past them on Saturday. With or without Mark Pasalich, Stirling wins and wins well.
Stirling 7/1 by 30 shots or there abouts.
IN SUMMARY
Bedford, Thornlie, Wanneroo and Hilton Park all have a chance of filling positions eight and seven on the ladder. Separated by just 4.5 points it is going to be an interesting day of bowls, with a few phone calls being made soon after five o’clock.
Sticking my neck out a little my tip is Hilton Park and Bedford will fill the remaining two spots in the relegation zone. Therefore the final ladder may look like this on Saturday night
MOSMAN PARK
MORLEY
STIRLING
OSBORNE PARK
WANNEROO
THORNLIE
BEDFORD
HILTON PARK
MELVILLE
LEEMING
Good luck to you all and enjoy the beer on Saturday arvo – win lose or draw – after all it is still only a game.
Tarah and good bowling