PLAYED AT OSBORNE PARK

March 26, 2008
This could be the last Interstate sides series where we see all States gather for a week to decide who will win the Ally Shield. I must admit that it will be sad to see this format go.
There is a buzz around the place when we get the rare oportunity to see our W.A State side in action for six days.
The team has a very hard task ahead of them to win the Ally Shield because of the standard of all teams that are competing. After finishing second last year to the strong N.S.W side the team will be going flat out to go that one better this time around

One of the features of the series being held in Perth is the opportunity of being able to watch some of the superstars of the game where you can wander to any green and see players such as Steve Glasson Wayne Turley Arron Sherif from N..S.W. Nathan Rice, Shane Globits Mark Casey from Queensland, Mark Strocknetter from Tasmania and Jeff Aworth from South Australia to name a few.
There is a hair width in difference of abilty with the players named here. Of course we will see them all in action playing our State team.

The team most want to see play besides our own W.A team is N.S.W who have always been the yardstick and their games against W.A always create enormous interest. The interst is similar to the rivalry in Australian football that W.A has with Victoria. It is not often we see the N.S.W side playing a minor role in any Sides Series and we can expect them to be the side to beat.

Queensland is another powerful side that will command respect and are normally there abouts in the Sides Series

The selectors have chosen a very good W.A side to compete in the series and are so impressed with the showing by the side in Tasmania that have replaced only the one player who has retired at the end of the last series.


Daniel Trewhella makes his debut as a skipper for W.A and most would agree that this talented player could make the difference that was missing last year.
What a thrill for him to make his debut at his own club, it is noticable that there are three Osborne Park players in his rink.

The other two players are John Goddard the State Singles Champion who has had a great season so far, and been assigned the Leaders role and one that he will excell in, while Gary Caffell who has accomplished much over the past three seasons will play three for the first time for W.A. David Opie is the odd man out will be the second to cap off a very strong rink which is certain to receive huge support from a very enthusiastic home club supporter base.


Daniel Trewhella(pictured) playing as skipper for the first time for W.A

Pieter Harris is our best performed skipper since he took the reigns four seasons ago and has had an amazing run of success in the Sides series with many different players in his rink over that time. In all of these games he has had the Wanneroo Wizard Clive Adams as his second, both Peter and Clive have been terrific for W.A. The selectors have shown faith to retain John Slavich who did a great job in the trials and will keep the all important thirds position. Bruce Urquhart is one of the best leaders anywhere in Australia.

Ross Dempsey and Bruce Urquhart both leading in the Sides Series for W.A
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Skipper Jon Sharp has been just what the doctor ordered since taking over from Robbie Ball has great rapport with his players, played a major role in the good showing in Tasmania. Trystan Smallacombe has done it all this year and has been in sparkling form over the season while the Jones Boy has been in some of the best form of his career will fill the second's spot. Kyle McIlroy has been a standout player for W.A in the past two series as a leader. His contribution in the leaders position makes him a must have player. It is hard to get leaders of this quality.

Russell Hughes will play his last series for W.A, he is heading East in June. Russell is an outstanding player and has played with distinction as a skip for W.A. The third is the King of swing Rhett Butler, who is a very experienced player who continues to impress. New inclusion Rod Heaton showed plenty of razzle dazzle in the Sorrento Master Singles and the Master Pairs. He was exceptionally good particuarlaly in the pairs where he never wasted a bowl and will have a big impact in this series. Ross Dempsey has been a terrific leader for W.A over many seasons has had a fantastic season and will play an important role for W.A

All in all the State Selectors who have a wealth of playing experience with over 650 games between them have worked hard, attending the many training sessions and organised games. They must be congratulated for their effort This is about as close as they could get to selecting the best 16 players to represent Western Australia
So now the journey begins in earnest next Monday to take on the best teams in Australia, the 16 players will attempt to emulate the deeds of the great W.A sides of the 80 and 90's to bring the Ally shield back to West Australia.

Our poll shows W.A to be the side to beat. N.S.W are always the team to beat if you want to win the Shield

SHERRO SELECTS W.A. TO BRING HOME THE BACON

DRAW MONDAY MORNING DAY ONE 31-3-2008 ROUND ONE

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Jon Sharp (sk), T. Smallacombe, The Jones Boy, Kyle McIlroy.
Daniel Trewhella (sk), G. Caffell, D. Opie, J. Goddard.
Pieter Harris (sk), J. Slavich, C. Adams, B. Urquhart.
Russell Hughes (sk), R. Butler, R. Heaton, R. Dempsey.
QUEENSLAND
Jason Grundon (sk), A. Murtagh, T. Broadbent, C. Hepburn
Nathan Rice (sk), A. Kiepe, Ian Law, M. Monro
Shane Globits (sk), B. Wilkie, D. Mullens, S. Gittoes
Mark Casey (sk), S. Baker, R. Thompson, M. Breen

Interstate sides Series 2007 Tasmania
State	Win	loss	Rink wins	For	Against	Points	Per %
New South Wales	5	2	21	611	475	10	128. 63
West Aust	5	2	16.5	581	442	10	131. 44
Victoria	5	2	16	570	487	10	117. 04
Qeensland	4	3	17..5	580	482	8	120. 33
Tasmania	3	3	13 .5draw	528	568	7	92 .95
South Australia	3	4	14	530	521	6	101 .72
Australian Capitol T.	2	4	9.5, draw	507	609	5	83. 25
Northen Territory	0	7	4	389	712	0	54. 63

RINK STATISTICS
Skipper	Win	Loss	Draw	For	Agst	Perc %
P. Harris	5	2		180	110	163. 63
J. Sharp	5	2		132	107	123.64
R. Hughes	4	2	1	142	99	143. 43
Rooster Wishart	2	5		128	124	103. 22