9274 3333 ROUND ONE
3/11/2009
Kardinya and Stirling Flex Muscles Early
The main point to come out of Saturday’s One White matches is that Stirling and Kardinya mean business and will not take any prisoners this year.
Bassendean would also be quietly pleased, not so much for the 6-2 win but for the fact that they did it without Justin Opie winning. This is a reversal of last year where if Justin did not win, Bassendean did not win.
My dark horse Thornlie proved just that when they disposed of pre season favourites Kalamunda with ease at the home of the Ravens.
Wanneroo started the season in faultless form with an 8-0 thrashing of Cambridge.
THORNLIE 86 (7) def KALAMUNDA 60 (1)
Thornlie stalwart Barry Rewell and his rink got the Ravens off to the perfect start with a 27-6 trouncing of the Bill Brandsma rink. With the assistance of Glynn Vaughan and Paul Pohe they ensured the boys from the hills were going to suffer a terrible afternoon. Young Mitch Biglin continued his good form as a skipper with a very good 14 shot win but it was never going to be enough.
I am not jumping off Kalamunda after one game but when I look at the strength off some of the other teams in this division they would not want too many more days like this one.
BASSENDEAN 87 (6) def OSBORNE PARK 83 (2) 
Reigning State singles champion Brian Axford celebrated his first game in the green and white by guiding his side to a 23-13 over Rance Dewson. In a game where the scores were close this was to be the deciding factor.
Craig Greenhalgh fell in by one against Fred DiGuiseppe and the word to come out of this particular game was the magificent performance from new recruit Kevin Gray who had last played for Quinn's Rock. He proved to be the difference between winning and losing for his rink
Kevin Gray played a beauty for Bassendean
Doug Eaton had a very good win against first time skip Daniel Patterson. Doug and his rink were making life difficult for young Patterson when they shot out to a 12/0 lead.
To Daniel Patterson's credit he kept plugging away to get within a shot but it was Doug Eaton's rink who bought home the bacon in the last three ends of the game
Keith Guelfi had a good victory over the gun rink of Justin Opie with a two shot win which is even more meritorious because it was played at Bassendean
KARDINYA 96 (8) def DALKEITH/ NEDLANDS 56 (0)
Prior to this game I was not sure what to make of the Kats but when I see their line-up and they return results like this you cannot but jump on board. This probably not news to Kardinya but they are a genuine premiership contender.
Danny Comrie (one of this States underrated players) led the way with a 36-8 mauling of Luke Richardson. Danny is very fortunate to have a player of the calibre of Rob Foy playing third to him. I have a lot of respect for Rob as he is a player that is not flamboyant but he always gets the job done. Terry Ball, Wayne Heldt and Michael Yates all recorded good wins.
I have always been dead set against dropping 4 teams from a ten team competition. I think it is hopelessly flawed and the danger is that a good team like Dalkeith may finish the bottom four of what is a very strong competition.
WANNEROO 92 (8) def CAMBRIDGE 54 (0)
The Roos led by Derek Bowen and Echo Widermanski recording 24-9 & 25-10 respectively demonstrated that the Knights second side may struggle in this company. The worrying aspect for Cambridge is that stronger teams lay in wait.
Just how good Wanneroo are will be found out in the next couple of weeks. I think they are much better than most people outside of the club would appreciate.
STIRLING 107 def MANNING 55 (1)
Alan Erceg take a bow. This side you have put together would not look out of place in Premier league.
When I looked at the paper on Sunday I thought &#@%, that is a very good side. They have solid front ends and very powerful back ends.
I am not making any judgements on Manning because I suspect this will not be the last time we see Stirling return these types of scores whilst playing at home.