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To read Martin's previous previews or to see where a club stands on the Premiership table, click on the above buttons
March 12, 2008
REPORT ON ‘ONE WHITE’ 2007 / 2008.
PREVIEW - ROUND SIXTEEN
The main two things to come out of last weeks results are that Safety Bay joins Gosnells as definitely ‘in the blues’ division; and Mosman Park are back in the race with an exciting one point aggregate win against Yokine and still have a slim chance to make the finals.
I asked the question last week:- “What’s the odds of Kardinya having three drawn games in a row?” – Well I reckon the odds would have been enormous and would have resulted in a huge win. My Leeming contact left his mobile at home last week so I eventually phoned the Kardinya Club on Saturday evening to find out the result of the game. The bloke that answered told me that it was a draw got, “Oh bullshit mate what was the real result”. He eventually convinced me that he wasn’t joking and we had a good laugh.
Again I say that the top four are pretty clear cut despite a late, slim chance by Mossies, so the main focus and interest for mine until things change (or the finals arrive) remains on the bottom of the ladder to see who can survive in One White in light of the new four team relegation process. That’s not taking anything away from the teams up the top and in particular the absolute dominance by Dalkeith-Nedlands.
LAST WEEK
Dalkeith-Nedlands grabbed 6 points from their clash with top four rival Morley who put up a good fight to only lose the aggregate by 7 shots. Mosman Park with their backs to the wall showed true grit to take the majority of points by a single shot aggregate win against 2nd placed Yokine at the home of the Doggies.
Bassendean who were also fighting for survival didn’t give the Bay a sniff or a point at Basso. Kardinya and Leeming did the impossible in having a 4 point draw and while both will see it as a missed opportunity both are still alive as a result.
No surprises at Thornlie where the Ravens accounted for the depleted Gossy boys to the tune of 7 points to 1 and a big enough aggregate win to move them into 3rd place ahead of Morley on percentage.
Dalkeith-Nedlands 74 (6) defeated Morley 67 (2)
Mosman Park 81 (6) defeated Yokine 80 (2)
Bassendean 98 (8) defeated Safety Bay 63 (0)
Kardinya 72 (4) drew with Leeming 72 (4)
Thornlie 98 (7) defeated Gosnells 59 (1)
THIS WEEK’S – PICKS OF THE BUNCH:
Bassendean (7th) v’s Thornlie (3rd):
As simple as this for mine – Bassendean lose and they join Safety Bay and Gosnells as definitely ‘in the blues’ division based on the across the board clashes for the rest of the season. Basso win and they keep a very slim chance of avoiding relegation alive. The Thornlie boys told me last week they want 2nd spot for the finals which will be a tall order considering their two clashes following this week so to have any chance of achieving that goal this is a must win game.
Kardinya (8th) v’s Yokine (2nd):
Again: As simple as this for mine – Kardinya lose and they join Safety Bay and Gosnells as definitely ‘in the blues’ division based on the across the board clashes for the rest of the season. Kardinya win and they keep a very slim chance of avoiding relegation alive.
I’m somewhat surprised by the extensive changes to the Kardinya rinks based on their last four performances. Under lots of pressure they won well against Basso; managed a draw with the likes of Morley and Leeming away from home (both in Premier Division last year); and a draw with Mosman Park who just knocked off the 2nd placed Yokine side. The club of course must do what they think will work for them and I applaud their courage in doing so at this stage of the season. Yokine obviously want to stay in 2nd position and with Morley red hot favorites to grab big points and percentage against the depleted Gosnells outfit Yokine can’t afford an aberration on the plastic fantastic down at Kardinya. It’s not out of the question that both Thornlie and Morley could jump Yokine this week and knock them back to 4th place. “WHAT’S THE ODDS OF KARDINYA HAVING A FOURTH 4 POINT DRAW IN A ROW?”
Dalkeith-Nedlands (1st) v’s Leeming (6th):
Leeming have a little breathing space to come in that they have Gosnells at their home the following week. However, that can be completely cancelled out if they fall big time to the competition guns Dalkeith-Nedlands at the home of the Silvertails this week. If Leeming do go down big time this week and other results go against them they could finds themselves as low as 8th place. Obviously the result won’t impact whatsoever on the big lead by Dalkeith-Nedlands but by the same token the Silvertails can’t afford to depart from their winning ways and culture.
LADDER:
Dalkeith-Nedlands 96; Yokine 73½; Thornlie 68; Morley 68; Mosman Park 58½; Leeming 57½; Kardinya 56½; Bassendean 56; Safety Bay 45½; Gosnells 20½.
‘My Predictions’:
Last week 2½ from 5. For the season (47½ – 27½) winning rate.
BASSENDEAN V’s THORNLIE
1st Round – Thornlie 74 (2) def by Bassendean 77 (6)
BASSENDEAN
Craig Greenhalgh (Sk) Phil Hutchinson Colin Irvine Ray Denton
John Lynch (Sk) Jamie Davies Nolan Hall Norm Kirkup
Marcel Heruer (Sk) Colin Hotker Neil Strachan Fred Early
Justin Opie (Sk) Wes Jones Ian Robinson Steve Black
No report received from Bassendean this week.
VERSUS
THORNLIE
Paul Pohe (Sk) Alan Petchell Jim Stein Andy Lill
Jim McKenzie (Sk) Mick Hansen Rod Kimble Jim Irwine
Glyn Vaughan (Sk) Ross McMillian Ian Rewell Tony Churcher
Greg Reagan (Sk) Terry McCormack John Walker Ray Halse
------------------------------------Andy Lill
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----------Andy Lill a fine young man and a very good lead for his club
A report from a contact at Thornlie is as follows:
Well here we go!
Saturday came and Saturday went as did Gosnells with only the Bear taking home a memento for the day - that being 1 solitary pennant point. The Ravens took very good care of the other seven and with the help of percentage - jumped to third on the premiership table.
To say it has been a long year for Gosnells would be the understatement of the season. We can only wish them well in 1st Blue next year.
Martin Downey lost another opportunity to pick a winner as he allowed his heart to make the decision his head should have made.
The battle of Youth verses Experience went the way of experience with Bubbles Vaughan leading his rink to a 18 shot win over the youthful Jason Bryon - well done to Bubbles and the boys.
The Paul and Brett show failed to provide any excitement for the visitors however the home side really did enjoy this encounter, picking up an 8 on one end en route to a healthy 23 shot margin. Well done Pohe, Petch, James S and Handy Andy, this result placed the aggregate well out of harms way.
Gibbs and McKenzie enjoyed a tussle all day however there was always a benefit on the score board for the home side and Macka's lads ran out 5 shots the better at the 21st end. Bruiser Hansen had a very tidy day in his first outing for the Big Fella as a third, well done Mick.
That leaves the Rink of Reagan and Kev the Bear Bairstow. You always know who ever draws Bear, is gonna be in for a tough day. Kev gives away shots as carefully as he gives away his money. The Bear and his lads opened up a healthy lead and it was not until the closing stages of the game that Greg's blokes started to make any impression on the score board. Despite a spirited fight the Gossy's mob took home the point with a 7 shot margin.
In summary it is always nice to take 7 points away from any game and today was no exception. Consolidating a place in the top four was what today was all about and The Ravens did that well. Congratulations to the whole 16 - you did the job well.
Look out Bassendean as next week we are coming to get you!!!!!!
Martin’s Prediction: BASSENDEAN.
GOSNELLS V’s MORLEY
1st Round – Morley 87 (7) def Gosnells 67 (1)
GOSNELLS
Brett Holland (Sk) Mike Kelly Martin Downey David Downey
Jason Bryan (Sk) Roy Sharp Gordon Bradford Peter Charkiewicz
Trevor Gibbs (Sk) Colin Watters Terry Hudson Stuart Masterson
Kevin Bairstow (Sk) Peter Hodgson Richard Golding Trevor Simons
With all four rinks already weakened to absolute breaking point the late withdrawal of Gordon Bradford from Jason Bryan’s already weakened rink saw the selectors once again on the phone to part-time players who had the necessary criteria – they were breathing. (The selectors already had several of our very kind female bowlers filling in lower down when this happened). And just to put the icing on the cake well and truly we found ourselves assigned to Thornlie’s carpet – oh joy!
Having said all that, the Thornlie Ravens played very well and in total fairness to them, they can only compete to the best of their ability against whatever team is sent to confront them and they did so professionally to the tune of 7 points to 1 and a very healthy aggregate win.
Kevin Bairstow’s rink V’s Greg Reagan’s rink:
Congratulations to our rink of Kevin (the bear) Bairstow (Sk), Peter Hodgson, Richard Golding and Trevor Simons for bringing home a point. Our boys started well to lead 7 to 1; still up 11 to 6 after eleven; then a purple patch saw us lead handsomely 20 to 7 after fifteen; then the determined Thornlie boys came flying back to win the next six ends to be within winning at 20 to 15. Final score 22 to 15.
Trevor Gibbs rink V’s Jim McKenzie rink:
Even points early at 4 to 4 after five ends; 7 to 11 after twelve ends before the Thornlie boys surged to be 8 to 19 after seventeen ends; but our boys never stopped trying and won the last 4 ends to eventually go down 14 to 19. A bit of extra humour during the game between Gibbsey and Alan Petchell, who was on our rink. Alan sold Gibbsey the bowls he is currently playing very well with so every time Gibbsey played a good bowl Alan would tell him, “I want those bowls back” to which Gibbsey would reply, “Well you’re not bloody getting em back”.
Jason Bryan’s rink V’s Glyn Vaughan rink:
For the Thornlie contact to paint this as a battle of the skippers by saying ‘youth verses experience that went the way of experience’ is a bit rich when one had a 6 cylinders vehicle and the other skipper (the only youth on the rink) only had a 4 cylinder vehicle. You did really well under the circumstances Jason and keep up the great work. Well done to Glyn and his rink on an expected good win. Close early with 3 to 4 after four ends; 6 to 10 after eight; well and truly under the pump at 8 to 23 after fifteen ends; to eventually be 10 to 28.
Brett Holland’s rink V’s Paul Pohe’s rink:
Nothing could console Brett in missing ‘the kid’, who he’s nurtured all season, and he just wasn’t himself from the start. I thought this might happen so I played with David’s orange bowls hoping this may console Brett to some extent but every time he looked up from the bright orange to see my ugly mug on the other end only seemed to upset him more for some reason. 3 to 7 after five ends; 7 to 13 after nine but then Paul and his boys put pedal to metal to pick up 15 shots in three ends including an 8 (ouch) to be 7 to 28 after twelve; not much in it after that but the damage had well and truly been done for a comprehensive thrashing of 13 to 36 at the end. Alan Petchell was good but Paul Pohe was absolutely dynamite in drawing shots, moving the kitty to where he wanted it and pushing our bowls out of the count. Sheer precision all day.
This Week:
Relax Brett ‘the kid’ will be back. Gordon Bradford may also return. No other changes known at this stage.
V’s
MORLEY
Peter Aungier (Sk) John Armstrong Corrin John Sheridan
Allan Barron (Sk) M Robinson Rod Revell Andy Elmer
Bruce Walter (Sk) Gavin Grieve Bob Giekie Callcott
Wayne
Neilson (Sk) Joe Heiden Graham White Brad Moyle
No report from Morley this week.
Martin’s Prediction: MORLEY
DALKEITH-NEDLANDS V’s LEEMING
1st Round – Leeming 68 (1) def by Dalkeith-Nedlands 96 (7)
DALKEITH-NEDLANDS
Marco Krajancic (Sk) Vinnie Santostefano Norm Sutton Ross MacKenzie
Tony Skoric (Sk) Ross Donald Steve Back Vaughan Colley
Peter Bacich(Sk) Mark Lindsay Alex Gryta John Morgan
Tom Williams (Sk) John McIntosh Gordon Wilson John McCormack
Click---Here--To Read the Dalkeith report
V’s
LEEMING
Danny Comrie (Sk) Gary Ford Peter Middleton Steve Harris
Don Munro (Sk) Phil Dobie Tom Glendinning Ryan Havercroft
Lindsay Strange (Sk) Alan Pryce Gary Pemberton Dennis Anderson
Peter Morris (Sk) Bill West Ian Ashworth Ray Morley
No report from the Leeming contact this week.
Martin’s Prediction: DALKEITH-NEDLANDS
KARDINYA V’s YOKINE
1st Round – Yokine 92 (7) def Kardinya 58 (1)
KARDINYA
Dave Wood (Sk) John Smith, Steve Vinci Les Phillips
Rick Flintoff (Sk) Shaun McCormack David Phillips Scott Jaggs
Rob Foy (Sk) Daryl Radford Ian Hastings Gordon Manuel
Geoff Gould (Sk) Tony Cocodis Rex Sweet Owen Sweetman
A report from a contact at Kardinya is as follows:
Words are beginning to fail me. What odds would TAB Sportsbet give on a team having three consecutive 4-4 draws in the game of Lawn Bowls – 2000/1?? For the third successive week we went into the last end of the game holding the aggregate win. This time it was against Leeming with a one-shot loss on the last end that saw the aggregate drawn.
On a rather holding Leeming green, we led for most of the game, mainly through Geoff Gould’s rink, but the match fluctuated both ways over the last six ends, leading to another nail-biting finish. Six precious premiership points have been lost over those three games, which could otherwise have put us in fifth position on the ladder but, as they say “that’s bowls”!
Geoff Gould versus Danny Comrie
What do we say? The Gould express train just keeps whizzing along with yet another great 29-17 win, this time over his old mate Danny. Another great effort by his rink of Daryl Radford (Third), Rex Sweet (Second) and Owen Sweetman (Lead), now with a tremendous 13/2 win/loss record.
Rick Flintoff versus Don Munro
There was a late change in Rick’s rink when Shaun McCormack had to withdraw on the morning of the game through injury. However Rick’s rink of Dave Wood (who came in as the Third), Dave Phillips (Second) and Scott Jaggs (Lead) had a solid 18-16 win over Don’s rink, winning 13 ends to 8. Dave W had a very good game including driving the jack into the ditch on the last end to assure us of our rink win, while Dave P really warmed to his task the more the game proceeded and had a major influence on the last few ends.
Tony Cocodis versus Lindsay Strange
Tony’ rink of John Smith (Third), Steve Vinci (Second) and Les Phillips (Lead) lost 22-15 to Lindsay‘s team. In a muddling game, Tony’s rink led for much of the game, only to falter over the last few ends.
Ian Hastings versus Peter Morris
Ian’s rink of Rob Foy (Third), Marc Abonnel (who came in as the Second) and Gordon Manuel (Lead) went down 10-17 to Peter’s rink. In a low scoring game, with scores level at 7-7 at the half-way point, we lost a few too many ends to go down by those seven shots. Ian’s rink was the last to finish, and there was great tension on that last end when Leeming was measuring for a second shot which would have given them the aggregate. History will show that it was not to be and the aggregate was shared.
THIS WEEK:
The Selectors have made numerous changes for next week’s home fixture against Yokine. Dave Wood has been given the opportunity to skipper a rink in One White for the first time, and takes over Tony Cocodis’ rink, while Tony moves to play Third on Geoff Gould’s rink. Rob Foy takes over as Skipper from Ian Hastings with Daryl Radford as his Third and Ian moving to the Second position.
Rick Flintoff’s rink has been spared any changes, with Shaun McCormack returning after a week’s absence through injury. The new look rinks are as above. This is another big game, another virtual Grand Final, and we would like to avenge the loss at Yokine in the first round.
VERSUS
YOKINE
Rod Heaton (Sk) Ian Cooper John Bills Bill Morrison
Alan Davis (Sk) Juris Lorencs Shane Manners Chris Busing
Scott Edmonds (Sk) Darren Kellond Tony Kay Ian Goghill
Jamie O’Keefe (Sk) Adrian Durrant John McGrath Wayne Coffey
----------------------------------------Adrian Durrant
----------------------------------
Adrian Durrant joined Yokine this season and has done well for the club. Not many love their bowls more than Adrian. He is looking forward to the finals and a possible promotion for the club
A report from a contact at Yokine is as follows:
Mossie in a Thriller.
Mosman Park kept their top four hopes alive and at the same time put space between the incredible relegation of four teams for this week at least. The Mossie rinks were led by John Rainoldi’s and Radd Anderson's rinks with nine and ten shot wins respectively. Rainoldi was playing like he was still wearing the green blazer and had Heaton's rink down 10 – 1 after 3 ends. The Yokine rink of Alan Davis thankfully had them covered by leading Lester Mortimer's rink by a similar margin. O’Keefe and Edmonds were in tight games in the early parts of their games.
In the end the win of Alan Davis's team by 16 shots looked good enough for Yokine to get the aggregate, but our last ends proved very costly. On the Jamie O’Keefe rink the last end of the game saw us with a chance to square the aggregate. We were holding one shot at the change over and Jamie drew another to make it 2. We only needed one more to square the ledger. Steve Withers played his two bowls just missing the head on both occasions and left O'Keefe with a chance to seal a draw and 4 points instead of 2. O'Keefe played his last and his team were saying it looked the same out of the hand as the first counter but unfortunately it finished just a half a bowl short of flopping in for 3.
This makes the Dogs job a lot harder travelling to Kardinya this week. Kardinya's home ground advantage is a big one and the dogs would be happy with Kardinya posting their fourth draw in a row.
THIS WEEK:
John Gallop is unavailable so Shane Manners will make his First Division White Debut in the rink of Alan Davis. Shane is another home grown talent from Yokine.
Martin’s Prediction: YOKINE
MOSMAN PARK V’s SAFETY BAY
1st Round – Safety Bay 71 (2) def by Mosman Park 82 (6)
MOSMAN PARK
John Rainoldi (Sk) Lindsay Hicks Jarrad Rainoldi Ron Trowbridge
Steve Withers (Sk) Mark Simpson Hawke John Deery
Lester Mortimer (Sk) Wyn Ferris Steve Novak David Teague
Rad Anderson (Sk) Glenn Ellis Tom O’Neill Tom Reid
A report from a contact at Mosman Park is as follows:
Mosman Park faced the daunting task of travelling to Yokine to play the competitions second best side to date. A win would keep Mossies slim finals hopes alive and help stay above relegation territory with a loss putting them in a very bad position with three games remaining.
Raad Anderson and Co took on the well performed Scott Edmonds led rink and in a form reversal from the previous week ran away comprehensive 10 shot victors, Anderson and leader Tom Reid were standouts.
Next door John Rainoldi’s four took on Rod Heaton’s rink whose stats for the year have been impressive. An early four and six ensured Rainoldi’s rink were always well in control eventually running out 9 shot victors. All four of Rainoldi’s rink played well with the skip playing some big conversations at telling times.
Lester Mortimer’s quartet battled hard all game but were outclassed by Alan Davis’s team eventually going down 31 – 15. Davis showed he has lost none of the ability that saw him become one of Cockburn’s best players in their glory days with a brilliant display of bowls.
After a see sawing battle all game Steve Withers of Mossies and Yokine’s gun recruit James O’Keefe were left to play the last end with the rink score tied at 16 all and Mossies in front by three on the aggregate. A high quality end followed with O’Keefe having about 30cm to draw a third counter and tie the contest with his last bowl, he pulled up just short and victory was the visitors. It would be fair to say Withers may have attacked the head more with his last two bowls giving himself a better chance at winning his rink had the aggregate not been in the balance.
Yokine is the first top quality side Mosman Park have defeated this year and don’t be surprised if that provides the lift the club needs to make one last finals surge. Whilst saving relegation is the club’s aim it plays both sides in the two spots above them in the run home and with a very winnable game at home against Safety Bay this week Mossies will come home hard.
THIS WEEK:
No reported changes.
VERSUS
Safety Bay
Martin’s Prediction: MOSMAN PARK.