November 3, 2009

Andy’s REVIEWS Round one

I did mention that I was not the best judge in the world – and ran true to form on Saturday collecting just 3 wins from 5 guesses.

Looking through the results on Sunday at 5.30 am – it did my heart good to see the return to first division bowls of Small and Smaller – for those who have no clue as to who I’m referring to it is non other that Bobbie Mitchell and Glen Beard. I’m sure Melville is happy to have them back in their top side.

South Perth 71 (1) lost to Melville 73 (7)

This result may not quite qualify as a boil over – however South Perth fancy them selves as having a very good year. Well a very good year they may still have but this start would not have been part of their season’s strategy.

Marvelous Mal Randall just keeps on doing what he does best – winning of course by 5 shots in a tight affair over Havercroft. Nifty Brierley got home by the smallest of margins (a single shot) over Kerr.

The Hughes lead rink was Melville’ big winner and their 8 shot win over Kevin Howieson proved to be the difference in what could only be described as a tight affair. That left Petrich and Mitchell’s rink to battle out the result with the Millers winning that battle by 12 shots.

Despite that the aggregate bolted back to Canning Highway – well done Melville a real good win on carpet – I’m sure there were some happy faces around Melville’s bar come 6.30 on Saturday evening.

Next week Melville travel to Rockingham and South Perth visit Thornlie, two interesting matches.

Hilton Park 70 (2.5) lost to Warnbro 87 (5.5)

Although Hilton aren’t quite the “Dream Team” – they had recruited well and would have expected a first up win – that wasn’t to be with Warnbro taking home the lions share of the points, well done Warnbro.

The rink of Lindsay Strange, Tan, Stockton and Maley, carried all before them running out huge winners Over Dan Slade’s rink – this was the difference for the day. I’m sure Willie Tan enjoyed his return to Warnbro and what a way to celebrate.

Warnbro's gun skip Lindsay Strange firing up with a telling win to bring victory to Warnbro in their game against favourites for the flag, Hilton Park.
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The other three rinks went in favour of the home side with two narrow wins and a draw.

Not too sure what to read into this result – so we will have to wait a little and see how both clubs sort out the next few games.

Next week Warnbro host Leeming and Hilton Park travel to Vic Park/Carlisle.

Leeming 67 (1.5) lost to Safety Bay 77 (6.5)

This result went as expected and The Bay collected an aggregate they would have penciled in as a win.

Surprised to see two names missing from this match, Graham Scott played in the Blue North for Safety Bay and Gary Ford was missing from the Leeming line-up. We will find out a little more on this during the week.

Mat Massari drew with Ashworth – Holmes got up by 10 over Clayton – Beard by 9 over Ferris and the highlight for the Leeming reel came courtesy of Anderson who triumphed by 9 over Petchell.

Next week Leeming travel to Warnbro and Safety Bay host Gosnells

Rockingham 83 (2) lost to Vic Park/Carlisle 85 (6)

When the dust settled at Rockingham a mere 2 points separated these two clubs. Still that’s bowls – the real contenders win the close ones.

The Reds – widely tipped to be a top four contender this year got the job done and have started the year with an away win – always a good outcome.

The biggest rink margin was 6 shots with Lethlean taking the honours over Pearce. Fitzgerald accounted for the evergreen Norm Pascoe by 4 – Barnfield carried on from last year with a first up win by 5 over Wales. The final rink went the way of the home club with McLLveen winning a tight match by 1 shot over Reid.

Rockingham may worry a few clubs at home and they may well feel a little disappointed with this result – it may well have gone the other way 2 shots is nothing – still the good club’s win the tight ones and I’m sure Vic Park/Carlisle would be happy with their days work – as previously said – away wins are always a bonus.

Next week Rockingham travel to Melville and Vic Park/Carlisle are home to Hilton Park and that should be a belter of a match.

Gosnells 94 (8) beat Thornlie 59 (0)

Gave this match “Game of the Day” status – and unfortunately the result would have been a disappointing one for the visitors. Interestingly Gossies were the only home team to record a victory in round one.

McKay and Bryan set the early pace with both rinks bouncing out to handy early leads. Roper and McKenzie were battling early however Roper’s rink picked up a 6, which got them back on track – going on to record a 5 shot win over Munroe, McKenzie’s lads picked up a 7 midway through the game and they went on to record a 13 shot win over Bruce Deters.

Bryan finished the day 11 shots ahead of Greg Deters whilst McKay’s rink was 6 shots better than Ken Triner’s boys.

Gosnells occupy top spot on the ladder for their troubles and I’m sure there may well have been a few sore heads the day after as there were some serious celebrations occurring after this match.

Next week Gosnells travel to Safety Bay and Thornlie host South Perth.

SUMMARY

Calling results surprising can be fraught with danger. Hilton Park and South Perth will no doubt be doing a bit of soul searching during the week. Leeming will be looking for Gary Ford’s return – not sure what Thornlie will be doing – Warnbro must be happy with their start to the year as too would Melville, great to see Mitchell and Beard back in action.

Round one has gone and round two is not far away – this weeks results tell me that tipping winners in Blue South this year may not be as easy as first thought.

Still there are 17 rounds of fixtures left and plenty of time for clubs to turn around their fortunes – selectors should not be looking for the knives just yet.

Go to it boys – remember practice makes perfect.

Tarah and good bowling