HOLDFAST BAY ------- GLENELG SOUTH AUSTRALIA

April 14, 2010

Another Australian Sides series (2010) has come and gone, WA. won just two of the seven games played, these wins were against The ACT and the NT which is not a lot to hang one's hat on.

The previous series in 2009 saw a disappointing WA win three games which means a further drop in performance in the 2010 series. One might ask what value the high performance program is since the players have been practicing together since last July, the side was virtually selected last December. The value of selecting the side that early needs to be re evaluated

This series was played with 3 rinks per State, instead of the usual four rinks with many making a case that it would even up the competition because the overall depth of the big States would be reduced and the Smaller States would have a stronger side and a better chance if it was reduced to 3 rinks.

That theory was blown out of the water when Queensland won the series for the third consecutive time with two of their best players missing (Brett Wilkie and Mark Casey). Victoria finished second once again also they had one of their best players missing (Todd Symonds) and NSW finished third with four of their best players missing (Leif Selby, Aaron Sherif, Mark Berghoffer and Wayne Turley). All mentioned were representing Australia except for Symonds.

With that information it would seem it will be sometime before WA can produce a side that can take on Australia's best to win the Australian Sides series.

The series started out in wintry conditions with a good first up performance against the title holders (Queensland) losing by four shots, That performance lifted expectation of more good things to come and maybe the side had been underrated.

With hopes up in the next game against Tasmania, a side that has troubled WA recently, one rink was outplayed which proved costly.(more about that in the game summary) WA led for the most part of the game but were once again over run toward the end of the match by the Tasmanians

Game three against the NT presented the WA side with a chance of gaining their first victory, this was achieved but certainly not with out a fighting performance from the NT side.

Game four against the home State SA, saw the WA side stay in the game for a long period of time and the win for the SA side was achieved close to the end of the contest.

Game five was WA's worst performance in the series when they were pitted against Victoria. It seems that the Vic's love playing WA because they have well and truly towelled up WA in the last two series. It was disappointing to see the score at one stage 62 - 15, an unbelievable scoreline in an Interstate game.
This game saw bowls from the WA leads so far away from the jack it was hard to believe they were playing in an Interstate competition. It was windy but no more than in Perth
The WA Selectors in an interview during the game both agreed that the leads and seconds were not going well.
There can be no excuses, the Victorian leads and players following found no problems to find the jack.


Game six saw the WA side have an easy victory against the ACT. We were not able to see this game due to broadcasting the Ladies game against the ACT

Last game of the series saw a spirited WA challenge against NSW, this game was played in perfect conditions with no wind. The standard of the rink we watched was enormous where the 8 players all contributed to make it a brilliant spectacle.

At the conclusion of the series, having a closer look at the performance we see that two rinks came home with 4/3 win loss but both aggregates was in minus territory, and the other rink was 3/3/1.

These stats are never going to win an Alley Shield yet amazingly Qld won the series with 12½ rink wins which included one rink dragging the chain to record only one win for the series further underlining the current strength of that State..

It is very noticeable that in four or five of the WA games there was always a rink that recorded a very heavy loss which hampered any chance of victory. Had these losses not been so heavy perhaps we might have seen WA finish further up the ladder.

With only two wins achieved by WA it would seem that a new way of selecting the side is needed. There has to be more emphasis on the Premier League as way to select the best players. After all the format is exactly the same as the Australian Sides series and it is the toughest competition we have to test players.

Perhaps we have placed to much emphasis on players winning State or major events. Sherro is guilty of doing that but after watching as many games as I have over the past 5 seasons I have changed my outlook in this area. It is clear that several players are slipping under the radar and not being considered for selection when they should be.


The process for determining the winner of the Eddy/Wishart Medal for the best performed player for the series involved each individual player voting on the performance of the other three players on their rink.

The winner of the medal for the 2010 series in his first appearance as a State skipper was John Slavich. Well done to John.


---------------------John Slavich taking a break in the NSW game
------------John Slavich



FRIDAY MORNING DAY ONE 9-4-2010 ROUND ONE

QUEENSLAND 60(2) def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 56 (1)

K. Kerkow(sk), S.Baker, D. Mullins, R.Wild---------------------------18
John Goddard (sk), T.Smallacombe, C.Adams, S.Knott.------------14

Nathan Rice (sk), A. Murtagh, A.Fantini, M.Thatcher
---------------23
Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey-----------14

A.Kiepe(sk),J.Grundon, A. Paskins, M. Breen-------------------------14
John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin . Mitchell--------------------28

A terrific start for WA with John Slavich skipping for the first time led the charge for the West Aussie's giving WA a good chance to win the opening game.
John Goddard also did well to hold the unbeatable Kelvin Kerkow down to a 4 shot win in a hard fought game.

Daniel Trewhella and his rink were well down against Nathan Rice came home well but not quite well enough to see WA lose by 4 shots.
An encouraging performance for WA against the titleholders of the past two seasons.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON DAY ONE 9-4-2010 ROUND TWO

TASMANIA 62 (2½) def
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 49 (½)

B. Peck (sk), G. Hopwood, D.Baker, R.McMullin----------------------15
John Goddard (sk), T.Smallacombe, C.Adams, S.Knott.-------------27

M.Strochnetter(sk), A.White, A.Burne,C. Dudman
-------------------30
John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin . Mitchell---------------------5

D.Mclean(sk),G. Douce, J.Howard, B.Peck------------------------------17
Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey
-------------17

John Goddard and his rink got away well to lead 24-4 against Peck, we called this game on the radio and it was Shane Knott giving the side a great start followed by Clive Adams who played a beauty, Trystan Smallacomb didnt have a big impact in this game but still played some perlers. John Goddard played a very good skippers game.

John Slavich lost heavily in this game but we must add that it was an extremely high standard contest with many a head jam packed with close bowls. Mark Strocknetter played a blinder but did have a good word to say about John Slavich's game.

Daniel Trewhella side started to gather momentum and had to come from behind to salvage a draw

SATURDAY MORNING DAY TWO 10-4-2010 ROUND THREE

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 59 (3 ) def
NORTHERN TERRITORY 41 (0)

Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey-------------17
J Groenwedge(sk),P. J.Derrick, T.Leahy, A.White------------.----.----13

John Goddard (sk), T.Smallacombe, C.Adams, S.Knott.
---------------22
S. Chamberlain(sk), J.McIlwain, P. Regattieri, T.Allwright-----------10

John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin, T.Mitchell---------------------20
S.Hollingworth(sk),R.Freeman,P. Chamberlain, A,Bateup------------18

John Goddard was always in control in his game to give WA the upper hand

John Slavich was a fair way behind in the early to middle part but kept fighting hard to overcome a tenacious Scott Hollingsworth to record a very good win

Daniel Trewhella played an outstanding game to record his first win of the series. He was locked in a huge battle with NT skip Jade Groenwedge who produced some magical bowls to get out of trouble. Daniel Trewhella however was too consistent and delivered his share of magic also. A great performance.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON DAY TWO 10-4-2010 ROUND FOUR

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 65 (2) def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 54 (1)

D.Stockham(sk), S.Taylor, A.Hill, M.Haines--------------- ---------25
John Goddard (sk), J. Slavich, D. Rankin, T. Mitchell--------------12

A. Klose(sk), W.Ruediger, M.Kleineg, A. Forbes---------------------14
Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey
---.------28

J.Aworth(sk),S.Dorr, K.Coulls, C.Saltmarsh
-------------------------24
John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin, T.Mitchell
-----------------14

We were not abe to see this game because of possible rain (it rained briefly about 3 minutes in the middle of the game).
John Goddard got away to a good start in his game against the veteran SA skip Dave Stockham to lead 7-1, 10-5, and that was nearly all the rink could manage to score they were overtaken to such an extent that they scored only two more shots as SA careered away to 25-12

John Slavich was down 7-14, 7-17, 8-17, 9-22 and finally lost 14-24

Daniel Trewhella carried the WA side with another big game from he and his rink they were well on top of Ashley Klose leading 7-4, 12-5, 15.5, 19-6, 28-14 to give the West a chance of victory

SUNDAY MORNING DAY THREE 11-4-2010 ROUND FIVE

VICTORIA 82 (3) def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 40 (0)

M.Jacobsen(sk),B.Dodd, I. Ewing, B. Lester-------------------------35
John Goddard (sk), T.Smallacombe, C.Adams, S.Knott.------------7

M. Flapper(sk),P.Dorgan, B.Foley, B.Croad
--------------------------23
Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey----------16

W.Roberts (sk),L. Schraner, N.McIntyre, B.Holland---------------24
John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin . Mitchell-------------------17

Without doubt a black day for West Australia. Conditions were windy, there had been rain overnight and it was a tad cold.

The game we broadcast was Daniel Trewhella V Matt Flapper.
The game saw Daniel Trewhella playing a mighty game to hold the Victorian side at bay. The Victorian leader Brenton Croad was well on top with a brilliant exhibition which placed a lot of pressure on Dan Brown to try to retrieve the situation quite often, Rocket Heaton was in the same boat.
Overall these two players were doing a good job in the circumstances however Croad was relentless.

Daniel Trewhella was playing at the top of his game to keep his side in the contest however the Victorian players just kept coming until Daniel could hold them out no longer. All Vic players contributed and what a luxury to have Paul Dorkins who has skippered for years playing 3rd and Matt Flapper hanging onto the last two bowls.

Matt Flapper paid tribute to Daniel Trewhella saying after the game how many times that his successful driving was keeping the WA side in the game and they would have won by a lot more without Daniel's contribution

The other two rinks
This leaders and seconds in this Victoria V WA game didn't perform to expectations and were the major reason for this overwhelming loss

SUNDAY AFTERNOON DAY THREE 11-4-2010 ROUND SIX

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 69 (3) def AUS. CAPITOL TERRITORY 40 (0)

John Goddard (sk), T.Smallacombe, C.Adams, S.Knott-------------23
D.Jeffery(sk),A.Monfries, G.Charker, I.Whybrow, -------------------15

Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey----------21
A Howie (sk), P. Daly, T. Healy, W. Turner---------------------------12

John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin, T.Mitchell------------------25
R. Chesher(sk), K. Franklin, I.McLardie,M. McLean ----------------13

MONDAY MORNNG DAY FOUR 12-4-2010 ROUND SEVEN


NEW SOUTH WALES 57 (1) def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 54 (2)

S. Glasson(sk),T.Antram, J.Stokes, M. Pieterson---------------------13
John Goddard (sk), T.Smallacombe, C.Adams, S.Knott.-------------17

S.Garvey (sk), T.Ellam , M.Anderson, C.Threlfall, -------------------23
John Slavich (sk), R. Butler, D. Rankin,T. Mitchell-------------------26

M.Sargent (sk)B.Pitham, J.Green, M.Cronin
--------------------------21
Daniel Trewhella (sk), Rod Heaton D. Brown R. Dempsey-----------11

WA still had something to play for in this last game of the series, if they could win then there was every chance they could win the combined Ladies and Men's trophy for the best performed State

The game we saw was John Slavich Versus Shane Garvey. The game was played in perfect conditions and what a great contest it was. No player stood out as the best player, they were all sooo goooood.
The heads were the best I had seen in the series. John Slavich was in fine touch as was Dave Rankin and Rhett Butler. Full marks to the NSW players also, the 3 shot win for WA gave them a chance to seal winning the trophy

John Goddard had drawn the Legendary Steve Glasson who has had a terrific record in the side series in the past. It was close all the way and good to see the John's side record a good victory. This was the worst finish Steve Glasson led rinks have recorded in the sides series with just two wins

Daniel Trewhella had a hard job trying to contain Matt Sargent who finished up 3rd best performed skipper in the series

 

Men's points

Men's rinks

Women's points

Women's rinks

Total points

Total rinks

Points rank

Tie breaker

ACT

6

11

2

4.5

8

15.5

7  

NT

2

3

4

4.5

6

7.5

8  

NSW

9

11

8

11.5

17

22.5

5  

QLD

12

12.5

6

10.5

18

23

4  

SA

9

10

9

14.5

18

24.5

3  

TAS

4

9.5

6

9.5

10

19

6  

VIC

10

15.5

7

9.5

17

25

2  

WA

4

11.5

14

19.5

18

31

1

 


STATE PLAYED WIN LOSS DRAW RINK WINS FOR AGAINST PERCENT
QLD 7 6 1   12½ 466 357 124.92
VIC 7 5 2   15½ 468 336 139.28
NSW 7 4 2 1 11 418 414 100.09
SA 7 4 2 1 10 411 399 100.03
ACT 7 3 4   11 392 400 98.00
W.A 7 2 5   11½ 383 410 93.41
TAS 7 2 5   379 410 92.43
NT 7 1 6   3 333 524 63.54

Skippers statistics Sides Series 2010

Rank Skipper State Played Win Loss Draw For Agst Marg Points
1 K.Kerkow QLD 7 6 1   175 100 75 6
2 M. Jacobsen VIC 7 6 1   168 101 67 6
3 M.Sargent NSW 7 6 1   149 118 32 6
4 M. Strocknetter TAS 7 5 2   150 102 48 5
5 W.Roberts VIC 7 5 2   145 106 39 5
6 N.Rice QLD 7 4 2 1 170 109 61
7 M. Flapper VIC 7 4 2 1 155 129 26
8 J.Aworth SA 7 4 2 1 144 119 25
9 R. Chesher (Act ACT 7 4 3   138 136 2
10 J. Goddard W.A 7 4 3   122 131 - 9 4
11 J.Slavich WA 7 4 3   134 153 - 19 4
12 D.Stockham SA 7 3 3 1 147 140 7
13 B. Howie ACT 7 3 3 1 136 132 4
14 D.Trewhella WA 7 3 3 1 127 126 1
15 D Jeffery ACT 7 3 3 1 118 132 - 14
16 S.Garvey NSW 7 3 4   136 154 - 19 3
17 McLean TAS 7 2 4 1 114 156 - 42
18 S. Glasson NSW 7 2 5   133 141 -8
19 A. Klose SA 7 2 5   120 140 20 4
20 A.Keipe Qld 7 1 4 2 121 148 - 27 2
21 B. Peck TAS 7 2 5   115 152 - 37 2
22 J.Groenwedge NT 7 1 5 1 116 159 - 43
23 S. Chamberlain NT 7 1 6   104 203 - 99 1
24 S.Hollingworth NT 7 1 6   113 162 - 49 1


SKIPPER PLAYED  WIN LOSS DRAW FOR AGAINST MARGIN %
J GODDARD 7 4 3 0 122 131 - 9 93.12
J.SLAVICH 7 4 3 0 134 153 - 19 87.58
D. TREWHELLA 7 3 3 1 127 126 + 1 100.00