---------------------THE OBSERVER-----------------
December 9, 2008
John Ravlich played skip in One Blue South last saturday. That would be the first time he has not played Premier division for Cockburn for many a year. He came up with a win for Cockburn
Greens are tested and rated, however there has been reference to some carpets / synthetics being below the required standard.
I am unaware if these surfaces are tested or just accepted.
There was a sigh of relief for two skips who had not won a game in Premier division up until last saturday.
South Perth skip Nick Reagan got home after being 5 behind on the last end and collecting 7 shots to win his first game for the season
Wanneroo's Ron Bates made it by 3 shots against Kalamunda
There is now only two skips in the Premier League yet to record a win for the season so far.
Dalkeith's Tony Skoric seems further away than ever to win a game after his second consecutive heavy loss to make it 0/6
Rod Heaton was not available for pennants this round so kept his winless record intact.
Winning margins of 56, 30, 30 and 29 shots in the aggregate scores, all by away teams, must have alarm bells ringing about the state of the Premier division
Stirling’s top team, playing away in 1 White, lost to Osborne Park’s 2nd side, leaving Stirling in the bottom half of the table and probably disappointed at this stage of the season.
Kardinya One Blue South were the favourites to win promotion at the start of the season, are making a move toward the top of the ladder.
We will have to wait till the last round (9) in the new year to see who is the best team in the first round when they play a very good Rockingham side who are just ahead of Kardinya.
Maybe Victoria Park might head the ladder, they lost to Kardinya but are the only side to have beaten Rockingham.
Osborne Park's Pat Caffell is the top bowler in Premier division. Last year he played in a rink that lost just 4 games out of the 21 (finals included) he played in.
This season with a new skipper he has not had his record tarnished with a loss, not bad with only 4 losses in 27 games.
Why isn't he in the State squad ?
Near neighbours Bassendean and Bayswater tipped by the Observer to be potential ladder leaders, now hold 3rd and 4th positions.
However, other neighbours Sorrento have been pushing very hard for promotion in the past 3 seasons and just missing out (that is another story) and Warwick are in 1st and 2nd place in Blue North.
You just can't write off experience and that is one thing Warwick have plenty of.
It was interesting on the Bowls Show that Mike Zusman and Kyle McIlroy both referred to the unsatisfactory state of their greens as being a possible cause for their poor start to the season.
On the other hand, Rooster Wishart made mention of Vic Park’s greens being excellent and a reason for attracting players.
Bedford have surprised by being in 4th place after 6 games. Most have tipped relegation at the start of the season.
The next three games will tell where they are going
They play the three top sides to complete the first round, Mosman, Morley and Thornlie
Manning defeated Mosman Park in the Ladies Premier League last Tuesday, continuing to hold on to 1st place with 23½ points, followed by Sorrento on 20 and Yokine 3rd with 18½ points.
Manning are playing Sorrento today at Manning in the game of the day.
We have had 5 teams Cockburn, Doubleview, Wanneroo, South Perth and Osborne Park all take a turn at being on top of the ladder in the six games played so far in the Premier League.
Maybe more topsey turvey to come, Vic Park and Cambridge yet to be on top of the ladder.
Mosman Park One White have held top position in all 6 games and don't look like surrendering their position any time soon.
