March 23, 2011
SEMI FINALS PLAYED AT VICTORIA PARK
GRAND FINAL PLAYED AT YOKINE 27-3-2011
Two great semi-finals, selecting the winner will be more about guesswork than knowing who will win the final for 2010-11
There are so many variables and so many cases that could be made for each of the final four Clubs.
At first glance you could think VP are the side to beat, however at home they have been beaten by two of the sides in the finals, the other team ran them close last weekend. They have been strong enough to have carried one rink in the second round into these finals
Mosman Park last years runner up have two of the best rinks in the Premier League have made it to these finals carrying one rink for the second round, This is the danger for the Mozzies
Doubleview have hit top form just in the nick of time, at their best they could easily win the Grand Final. They have produced an even effort from all rinks in the second round
Osborne Park have not been very impressive of late still have claims to win the the title if they can produce their best form. Osborne Park have carried one rink to make it into the final, a change of skips might be the answer for the Saints.....
Wayne Coffey joined OP this season and was selected to play his first game in the 15th round. He hit top form to play his best game so far for the Saints against Stirling last week
VICTORIA PARK REDS v MOSMAN PARK MOZZIES
2ND SEMI PLAY AT VICTORIA PARK
G. Wishart(sk), C. McNeil, W.Butler, R. Johnson
A. Provost(sk), B. Butler, Cacciopoli, G.Faulkner
R. Butler(sk),S. Bainbridge, J. Krstic, A. Marsh
T. Mitchell(sk),S.Knott, M. Simms, G.Quann
------------------versus
M. Ellul (sk),M. Big, Ja. Rainoldi, T. O`Neil
D. Brown (sk), C.McKenna, G.Ellis, S. West
R. Tiller (sk),M. McGann, G.Robertson, R. Hawke
S.Withers(sk),Jo.Rainoldi, J. Morgan, G.Pappy
John Morgan recruited in the middle of the season has proved to be a good player for Mosman this season playing mainly as a second
Last week The two best performed sides in the home and away season slugged it out at Victoria Park in the last game of the round.
While it is true Vic Park Reds got the big end of the points (5) I believe it was a moral victory to Mosman Pk.
The Mozzies would have been very happy they could win on three rinks while the Reds still needed to win in a game that mattered more to Mosman who had much to gain if they won (if the Mozzies win all rinks they host the first day of the finals), it was a very close
shave indeed for the Reds who I am sure didn't contemplate only one rink would win this game for them
Well last week is history, from here onward only this weekend really matters. For the Reds it has been shown they are no lay down misere
to win the semi or if it is the case the preliminary final simpley because of it being played at VP.
They have lost two games at home this season, Doubleview PowerHouse defeated them early in the season, Osborne Pk Saints beat them late in the season in a come from behind win and Mosman Park won on three rinks last week, these teams are in the finals and it shows the Reds are vulnerable at home.
The top five best performed skippers this season come from VP and MP with four sides on 13 wins, it was the top six until last week when Rob Tiller's rink were smashed, his rink finished 7th.
It is very hard to make a case as to who it might be hanging the flag on their Club house (DV and OP could also win the flag) wall due to how the the sides have gone when playing one and other. A lot will depend on the draw, perhaps it could come down to the weakest link in each side that performs the best to swing the result
Rooster Wishart's rink finished up being the best performed rink in the competition with 14 wins and 4 losses, two of those losses were against Mosman Park rinks of Rob Tiller and Daniel Brown, the third loss was against the Osborne Park rink of John Goddard
Anthony Provost led rinks won 8 of their 9 second round games and has been in outstanding form himslf in many of those games.
A change of leader, Gavin Faulkner, and a new 3rd Blake Butler were major reasons for the vastly improved second round performance.
Thomas Mitchell led rinks won 7 second round games to also keep VP on top of the ladder. The return of Shane Knott was also a + for the rink and VP.
Rhett Butler's rinks have not produced a win in their last 5 games, these are not
the sort of stats to win you top position on the ladder but Vic Park have been able to carry these losses and finish on top of the ladder. The return of the talented Stuart Bainbridge at the start of the second round looked good for the Reds but wins have not been scarce.
Matt Ellul led rinks which have remained unchanged have had a great season and are one of the Mosman Park lynch pins, beat Ellul and you are on the way toward victory
Daniel Brown has been best for Mosman in the second round with just one loss which was by one shot. Last week he and his rink took care of business by beating the leading rink in Premier League, that of Rooster Wishart
The wheels came off in a big way for Robert Tiller losing 31-9 to AP. This loss was very costly, there was a rink change which saw Guy Robertson come into the Tiller led rink and John Morgan go over to Steve Withers rink.
Last week Steve Withers led rinks had won just 1 game and two draws in the second round, clearly these are not stats that are going help a side make it into second place on the ladder at seasons end but Mozzies two best rinks have carried the day for them and will be looking for an all round performance from all rinks.
6 - 2
Alan Marsh joined the Vic Park Reds and hasnt looked back since. A good leader who gives his all and looking forward to finals action
DOUBLEVIEW P/HOUSE v OSBORNE PARK SAINTS
1ST SEMI PLAY AT VICTORIA PARK
J. Slavich(sk), K. McIlroy, C. Slavich, P. Ker
D. Rankin(sk), L. Thorn, A. Delaporte, C. Hickman
R. Heaton (sk), D. KatunarichJ.O`Keefe, K.Screech
D. Trewhella(sk),S. Edmonds P. Buller, R. Barns
-------------------versus
G. Caffell(sk),S.O`Neil , D.Appleton, B. Couper
G. Evans,(sk), P. Butler,P.Pendergast, G. Nicol
J. Goddard(sk),K. Pickering, B.Galloway, G.King
I. Payne(sk), P.Caffell, R. Lawrence, W. Coffey
Chris Hickman
surprisingly overlooked at the selection table until the 11th round is a quality player who has done well since his inclusion in the side
Doubleview after a tardy start with 4 wins came from 8th position at the end of the first round to finish up in 3rd place by adding an impressive 7 wins - 2 losses in the second round.
The PowerHouse cranked up a gear or two after making changes to their rinks after round 8 and further changes later saw a huge lift in performances. Apart from the poor performance against Cambridge the PowerHouse should be well satisfied with their overall performance and go to VP full of confidence in the knowledge they defeated VP at VP and the side they now have is a better side than that one.
There is no doubt Doubleview have as much chance as any of the four sides to win the Grand Final.
In comparison comparison to Doubleview The Saints who at one stage were sitting on top of the ladder have a 4 win 4 loss 1 draw to show for the second round
Not the most encouraging build up to defend their title
They started the season without three of their Premiership players, Dave Rankin, Scott Edmonds and Justin Coleman. Sure thing they would be hard to replace, but they were more than adequately replaced by three quality players, Paul Butler 3rd, Steve O`Neil 3rd and the return of Pat Caffell 3rd have been excellent throughout the season.
The Saints lost 5 home games which is unusual for a quality team defending their title and limped across the line in a couple of others. Their last home game loss against Sth Perth was the worst performance from the Saints during the season.
The Saints away game record is six wins from 9 which includes beating DV and VP. This would indicate their is definitely some hope of defending their title.
There has been a change in the Osborne Pk lineup. Regular 3rd Ian Payne will take over the skippers position from Kevin Pickering who will take Payney's place as 3rd for John Goddard.
The change bought about by the lack of wins in the second round of Pick's rink.
Other than that everything is up to date in Kansas City as the saying goes with the other rinks remaining unchanged.
6 - 2
