---------------------------------------------Martin Downey---------------------------------------------------------

.
.
.

To read Martin's previous previews or to see where a club stands on the Premiership table, click on the above buttons

April 2, 2008

REPORT ON ‘ONE WHITE’ 2007 / 2008. PREVIEW - ROUND EIGHTEEN

AS FAR AS THE FINALS IS CONCERNED:

I said last week that the Thornlie verses Mosman Park match was the game of the round and wrote the following:

“Make no mistake about it - Mosman Park win this game and its ‘game on’ to fit 4 teams into three finals positions. Of course if Mosman Park lose then the final four will be set in stone and it will only be a matter of where Yokine, Morley and Thornlie will sit in relation to each other for positions 2nd, 3rd & 4th”.

Well thank you very much to both Thornlie and Mosman Park for showing me up and upsetting my perfect equation by throwing a 4 all draw into the mix. I didn’t see that one coming at all. Obviously Dalkeith-Nedlands, Thornlie and Yokine are already in the finals and Morley almost morals to join them but there is still the smallest, slightest, impossible chance that Mosman Park could steal 4th place from Morley when they play each other this week.

AS FAR AS RELEGATION IS CONCERNED:
Last week I said this about the Morley verses Bassendean match, referring to Morley to begin with:-
“this match could loom as a danger game and one that could possibly bring about their demise even at this late stage of the season, depending on other results. For Basso, I suppose it’s still mathematically possible for them to avoid relegation and I would expect those boys to be holding on to that very slim hope with both hands”.
Well it sure did prove to be a danger game for Morley but luckily for them Mosman Park could only managed a draw with Thornlie so let them off the hook. Obviously Basso did hang on with both hands so much so that they are now a 50 / 50 chance of escaping relegation in their do or die game against Leeming.
However, two of the following four teams will join Gosnells and Safety Bay in being relegated: Mosman Park, Leeming, Bassendean and/or Kardinya. While Mosman Park would have to be extremely, almost impossibly unlucky to fill one of the two remaining relegation positions it is still mathematically possible and nothing would surprise me anymore with this great One White competition.

LAST WEEK
Just for a change Dalkeith-Nedlands in another awesome display powered 8 points by a massive score this time against the ‘we’ve been hanging on fantastically until now’ Kardinya boys; Leeming in a very unassuming, friendly manner secured all 8 points from a gallant Gosnells 16 who just fell just short on all four rinks; Bassendean picked up a vital 7 points against Morley to keep their hopes alive of avoiding relegation even though Morley look set to play in the finals; Thornlie and Mosman Park fought out an incredible 4 points all draw to throw a spanner in the works; and last Sunday week Safety Bay said ‘come on down’ and did a job on Yokine to the tune of 6½ to 1½.

Dalkeith-Nedlands 117 (8) defeated Kardinya 54 (0)
Leeming 81 (8) defeated Gosnells 67 (0)
Bassendean 84 (7) defeated Morley 74 (1)
Thornlie 79 (4) drew with Mosman Park 79 (4)
Safety Bay 88 (6½) defeated Yokine 77 (1½)

THIS WEEK’S – PICKS OF THE BUNCH:

Yokine (2nd) v’s Thornlie (3rd):
A huge, huge game between these two good teams and the prize is 2nd position on the ladder for the finals and that equates to a free shot (with a safety net) at the minor premiers Dalkeith-Nedlands in the second semi-final. A reward worth playing for? – You bet your dream promotion it is.

Mosman Park (5th) v’s Morley (4th):
Mosman Park at home need to win all 8 points just to draw level with Morley and they must do it with a wet sail to also reverse the percentage advantage. On the opposite side of the coin Morley with a win would jump the loser of the Yokine verses Thornlie game to finish in 3rd place. Looking at it from a different perspective for Mosman Park, even if they suffer a loss they must score at least a single point to assist in avoiding relegation in case other matches go horribly wrong for them.

Bassendean (7th) v’s Leeming (6th):
Talk about another huge game albeit for a different reason. The prize this time is that the winner will avoid relegation while the loser is ‘in the blues’ next season. Destiny is well and truly in their own hands for this game as other results won’t impact on the winner avoiding relegation. They don’t come with much more on the line than this one. Of course if Mosman Park get thrashed and these two had a 4 all draw they could both survive. Nah, could happen could it?

Kardinya (8th) v’s Safety Bay (9th):
Where there’s life there’s hope and Kardinya are still alive albeit on life support at the minute. Ok, it’s a long shot but the Kardi boys can still survive in One White if other results go their way. All they can do is win and win well, they probably need all 8 points to have any sort of realistic chance, and then hope that other results go their way big time. As I said earlier nothing would surprise me anymore with this great division.

Gosnells (10th) v’s Dalkeith-Nedlands (1st):
This is a real danger game for Dalkeith-Nedlands. You see it’s a long drive out to Gosnells on a rainy day and one could have a traffic accident or be hit by lightning on route. At location there could be a train derailment or a block of blue ice could fall from the undercarriage of an aircraft. The Silvertails have to weigh up all these dangers in contemplating taking on the Gossy boys at home. Should they take the risk of traveling to Gosnells or should they simply stay at home? Should they have a week away from bowls to freshen up for the finals and maybe go on a team building exercise to watch the AFL Derby? These are the difficult decisions facing Dalkeith-Nedlands as a club and as individuals. It just goes to show there are no easy games in One White.

LADDER:
Dalkeith-Nedlands 111½; Yokine 78; Thornlie 78; Morley 76; Mosman Park 68; Leeming 66; Bassendean 65½; Kardinya 61; Safety Bay 54½; Gosnells 21½.

‘My Predictions’: Last week 3½ from 5. For the season a (54 – 31) winning rate.

MARTIN’S PREDICTED HOME & AWAY FINISHING ORDER The Finals Order:Dalkeith-Nedlands Thornlie Yokine Morley Staying: Mosman Park Bassendean In the Blues: Kardinya Leeming Safety Bay Gosnells


BASSENDEAN V’s LEEMING

1st Round – Leeming 82 (7) def Bassendean 72 (1)

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 from the Bassendean contact this week.


VERSUS

LEEMING
Danny Comrie (Sk) Gary Ford Peter Middleton Dennis Anderson
Don Munro (Sk) Phil Dobie Tom Glendinning Ryan Havercroft
Lindsay Strange (Sk) Alan Pryce Gary Pemberton Steve Harris
Peter Morris (Sk) Bill West Ian Ashworth Ray Morley

No report from the Leeming contact at this stage.

-----------------------------------LINDSAY STRANGE

--------------------------------Lindsay Strange
-------------Lindsay has done a great job playing skipper for Leeming


----------------------------------------GARY FORD

-----------------------------Gary Ford

Gary Ford has been a very reliable player for Leeming over the past few years

Martin’s Prediction: BASSENDEAN (only because they’re home).

YOKINE V’s THORNLIE

1st Round – Thornlie 90 (7½) def Yokine 65 (½)

YOKINE
Rod Heaton (Sk) Ian Cooper John Bills Bill Morrison
Alan Davis (Sk) Juris Lorencs John Gallop Chris Busing
Scott Edmonds (Sk) Darren Kellond Tony Kay Ian Goghill
Jamie O’Keefe (Sk) Adrian Durrant John McGrath Wayne Coffey

No report from Yokine 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

A report from a contact at Thornlie is as follows:

What a great result for the Ravens, 4 points and a share of second place (3rd on percentage).

The Rink of Reagan set the tone for the day holding sway over Rags Rainaldi all day. Ray Halse The Phantom and Terry Mack supported well in producing a 6 shot margin at the 21st end well done guys a tremendous effort. This is of course despite the last bowl played by Rags that was always a bit tight however the wonderful weight and imagination Rags played with had everyone watching his bowl hit a shorty straighten and crash into Thornlie's shot bowl and stopped for shot - thus ensuring a drawn aggregate.

Get it up Pohe had a battle with Steve Withers, a real up and down affair all day. Steve's third came prepared for a tough day (turned up without any bowls) however that did not seem to affect their performance and at the end of a tough tussle the honours went to Steve and his lads by 2 shots. Bubbles Vaughan (or should we call him Hopalong) suffering from a bad bout of gout had a tough day at the office. Rad Anderson (sporting a strange colour in his hair) bought his "A" game and went about a methodical performance to undo the little fella by 9 shots. Last but by no means least was the Big Fella and Lester Mortimer. 5 shots was the final outcome in favour of the home side.

McKenzie's front end of Hava Chat Irwine and Doc Kimble had huge games ensuring that Lester was under the pump all day. Despite Mortimer's consistent drawing and some very telling up shots, the weight of numbers told in the end. It was a good game and played in great spirit.

THIS WEEK:
We play Yokine and what a great game that promises to be. The points going to Thornlie in the first round 7.5 to 0.5 - Legend, we are coming to get you!!!!

I must take this opportunity to congratulate the runner up in our Club Pairs Championship, they were Ian Quaille and Daryl Fielder placed 2nd by 1 shot in what was a brilliant game of pairs.

For the boys in first division - look out there are bowlers barking at your heals. Well done to Glyn Vaughan and The Big Fella for winning this event. Martin’s Prediction: THORNLIE

MOSMAN PARK V’s MORLEY

1st Round – Morley 92 (7) def Mosman Park 76 (1)

MOSMAN PARK
John Rainoldi (Sk) Lindsay Hicks Jarrad Rainoldi Ron Trowbridge
Steve Withers (Sk) Mark Simpson Briggs John Deery
Lester Mortimer (Sk) Steve Novak Wyn Ferris David Teague
Rad Anderson (Sk) Glenn Ellis Tom O’Neill Tom Reid

No report from the Mosman Park contact this week.


VERSUS

MORLEY
Peter Aungier (Sk) Allan Barron Brad Moyle Andy Elmer
Robbie Urquhart (Sk) John Armstrong Rod Revell R. Hebbett
Bruce Walter (Sk) Graham White Bob Giekie M. Callcott
Wayne Neilson (Sk) John Sheridan M Robinson Glen Britten

No report received from Morley and the team above is as played last week
Martin’s Prediction: MOSMAN PARK

GOSNELLS V’s DALKEITH-NEDLANDS

1st Round – Dalkeith-Nedlands 77 (7) def Gosnells 71 (1)


GOSNELLS
Brett Holland (Sk) Mike Kelly Martin Downey David Downey
Jason Bryan (Sk) Roy Sharp Colin Watters John Renton
Trevor Gibbs (Sk) Dan Newton Dean Calvo Stuart Masterson
Kevin Bairstow (Sk) Peter Hodgson Richard Golding Trevor Simons

Last Week Gosnells versed Leeming:
Well done Leeming. Unlike us, Leeming had everything to play for to try and avoid relegation and they would have been excused for appearing a little distant or aloof towards their visitors as they focused on the task ahead. That wasn’t the case at all, the Leeming boys were as friendly and jovial as could be from the moment we arrived at their den and the match was played in great spirit. In winning all 8 points from their encounter with us they did all they possibly could on the day in their quest to avoid relegation.

On the other side of the coin congrats to all our blokes for putting up a great fight as we were equally determined to fight as hard as we could to pick up some points. The 8 to 0 result wasn’t a true indication of how close the battle was and at one stage well into the second half of the afternoon there was only 4 points in the aggregate. The final margins were as below:

Trevor Gibbs rink V’s Lindsay Strange rink: Lost by one shot after leading the entire afternoon.
Kevin Bairstow’s rink V’s Danny Comrie’s rink: Lost by two shots.
Brett Holland’s rink V’s Peter Morris rink: Lost by four shots.
Jason Bryan’s rink V’s Don Munro’s rink: Lost by six shots.
THIS WEEK:
Colin Watters comes back into the side for Gordon Bradford.

VERSUS

DALKEITH-NEDLANDS
Marco Krajancic (Sk) Vinnie Santostefano Norm Sutton Ross MacKenzie
John Morgan (Sk) Ross Donald Steve Back Vaughan Colley
Peter Bacich(Sk) Mark Lindsay Alex Gryta Peter Gason
Tom Williams (Sk) John McIntosh Gordon Wilson John McCormack

Click---Here--To Read the Dalkeith report


KARDINYA V’s SAFETY BAY


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 Trevor Gilbertson Owen Sweetman

What a disaster at Dalkeith/Nedlands last Saturday! With good form going into the game, we were beaten by a far better side.
The magnitude of the defeat (117 shots to 54) was quite embarrassing, and gives us plenty to think about for next season. We had hoped to pick up some points to keep in the hunt for retaining One White. There is now only one formula for survival – we must beat Safety Bay 8-0 and hope that Mossies lose 8-0 or 7½-½ to Morley. No other set of results will suffice! Those three drawn aggregates have really come back to bite us!

Rob Foy versus Peter Bacich
Rob Foy rink of Daryl Radford (Third), Ian Hastings (Second) and Gordon Manuel (Lead) put up a brave fight against Peter’s rink to lose narrowly by 24-20. All four bowlers played well and it was by far the best overall performance of any of our rinks.

Geoff Gould versus John Morgan
Geoff’s rink of Tony Cocodis (Third), Rex Sweet (Second) and Owen Sweetman (Lead) held John’s rink for the first half of the game, but were overpowered in the second half to lose 26-13.

Rick Flintoff versus Tom Williams
It was much the same story on Rick’s rink, where his team of Shaun McCormack (Third), David Phillips (Second) and Scott Jaggs (Lead) were in touch to the 12th end, being only 12-10 down. However we were also overpowered in the second half of the game to lose 30-14. Tom and John McIntosh played extremely well for Dalkeith/Nedlands.

Dave Wood versus Marko Krajancic
Dave’s team of John Smith (Third), Steve Vinci (Second) and Les Phillips (Lead) had a heavy 37-7 loss to Marko’s team. It was again a case of class prevailing with Vin Santostefano and Marko playing very well for Dalkeith/Nedlands.

THIS WEEK:
The Selectors have made one changes to the team for the final game of the season at home to Safety Bay. Rex Sweet is unavailable and Trevor Gilbertson takes his place as Second on Geoff Gould’s rink. The rinks are as above.

V’s SAFETY BAY Martin’s Prediction: KARDINYA.

THORNLIE V’s MOSMAN PARK

1st Round – Mosman Park 75 (7) def by Thornlie 67 (1)

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

A report from a contact at Thornlie is as follows:

Bassendean V Thornlie
Round 1 Basso by 3 shots - Round 2 Thornlie by 3 shots.

Played on a very nice piece of Santa Anna running around 15.5 seconds it was a pleasure to turn up and play. Games against Bassendean are always played in great spirit and Saturday was no exception.

John Lynch always gives 100% and his boys helped his rink to their only rink win for the day outscoring the "Rink of Reagan" by 7 shots.

"Ya Gotta get it up Pohe" was the Ravens leading light scoring a 10 shot victory over Marcel Heruer's rink. Paul and the boys did it well and were comfortable all day.
The other two rinks although with their noses in front for most of the day managed a draw each.

Bubbles Vaughan endured a little bad luck on one end. Bubbles reached the jack to move it to advantage only to watch it crash into a close back bowl and move forward. When the smoke cleared he was 6 shots down. That got Justin and his men back into the game and with Justin drawing shot with his last bowl the score board read 23 all.

The Big Fella played the "Little Fella" Craig Greenhaigh. Hava Chat, Doc Kimble and Bruiser all played very well for the greater part of the game and their efforts were reflected in a small but useful lead on the scoreboard. However going into the last end The Big Feela was only 1 shot up. We held a solitary shot for 15 of the last 16 bowls and had another 5 third shots. The "Little Fella" played a running shot with his last bowl to chip Thornlie bowl sideways leaving Bassendean 1 up and looking at a 15 all draw.

Still 6 points from an away game against a good outfit is always a welcomed return for effort. The Ravens have won 5 out of their last 6 games with their only loss being to The Silvertails down in Rich Street, in Richville.
Mosmans at home after the Easter break is a huge game for both clubs and The Ravens can't wait for that encounter to arrive.

VERSUS

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 took on Safety Bay on their own dunghill desperate for a win against a side they should beat on paper. Sport however is not played on paper and a battle took place right down to the last bowl. Ron Trowbridge and the club’s best player John Rainoldi were late withdrawals for the home side and were replaced by Mal Monteath and Ian Briggs.

Steve Withers took on the unpredictable Matt Massari and after trailing early Withers and Co put their foot down to record an easy 10 shot victory. Withers continued his stellar form and late inclusion Mossies stalwart Ian Briggs had a blinder.

Lindsey Hicks skipped in the absence of Rainoldi and was locked in a tight encounter all day with Graeme Scott’s four. After trailing early Scott’s rink fought back to record a five shot win. Young gun Ryan Hawke who was blooded as a third for the game played well and showed he may well be a handy alternative up the line in years to come for Mosman Park.

Lester Mortimer with Steve Novak as his new third took on Ray Beard’s rink and after trailing early staged a great come back to snatch a draw. Mortimer played another great game and as he always does leading from the front.

The last rink left on the green was Raad Anderson’s four who played the Holmes lead rink. Playing both their rinks last end and the last end of the match Mossies trailed overall by one shot. With one bowl left in his hand and one possibly two down on the head Anderson drove, picked the jack up clean as a whistle into the drink for two shots and a Mosman Park aggregate victory. Holmes rink snatched the rink point however winning a tight one 21 – 17.

Although still a possible top four chance, Mossies are still not 100% out of relegation zone and the club has been very lucky in winning all their tight games this year. A couple of losses in those games and much uglier year for the club may well have resulted.

THIS WEEK:
No reported changes.
Martin’s Prediction: THORNLIE.