Murray's Review on One Blue North.
Round TWELVE
February 13, 2006
OH: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN
After a sensational round of fixtures that saw the three top sides in in Osborne
Park, Dalkeith/Nedlands and Bassendean all lose to sides well below them on
the ladder I can't help but think that the Osborne Park and Bassendean players
might be thinking "What could have been".
Over the next two matches I expect Dalkeith to pull away from the others as
they are fixtured to play the bottom and second bottom sides in Nollamara & Sportsmen's.
At the same time Osborne Park play the unpredictable Doubleview and 4th placed
Sorrento at Sorrento. Bassendean play Sportsmen's and then the talented Bedford
team. Neither Osborne Park or Bassendean are certainties to win both games.
At the conclusion of Round 14 I expect Dalkeith to have a nice little buffer.
They are now clearly my favourites to take the title even though their record
of (8-4) is hardly imposing.
CONGRATULATIONS CRAIG GREENHALGH
Morrison Park 79 (5) def Sportsmen's 77 (3)
Even though Morrison Park won this game on the back of a great win by Steve
Wattleworth my fullest congratulations go to Craig Geenhalgh. After dragging
himself off the canvas after being annihilated last week 55-11, Craig with
different personnel recorded a 26-23 win.
That is not only a great turn around
but a true indication of a guy with guts and determination. Colin Smith also
deserves special mention for turning a 24 shot loss into a win as well.
Well
done Morrison Park but Sportsmen's also regained some lost respect.
SAUL OFF THE XMAS CARD LIST
Nollamara 74 (5) def Bassendean 66 (3)
Another game where a win on one rink was enough to get a side home. John Wardrop
you have had your name erased from the Bassendean Xmas card list by all but
ending their premiership chances.
Leading into this game I genuinely thought
Bassendean were going to overtake Osborne Park and Dalkeith to take the title
but Saturday's result dealt that theory a severe blow.
Tom Norac continued
his great run to now be the divisions leading skipper and was well supported
(again) by John Lynch and Jim Savage but unfortunately Kevin Beaglehole could
not keep the Wardrop rink at bay.
ANGRY ANDERSON LEADS THE WAY
Sorrento 83 (6.5) def Doubleview 74 (1.5)
Alan "Angry' Anderson led the way in setting up a good Sorrento win over "the
View" at Doubleview. Alan and his team of the very talented 23 year old
Jarrad O'DonoghueJ Peter Crow and "Mr Sorrento" Ray Beard were far
too strong for the Eddie Johnson rink. If not for some magic shots from Eddie
the margin would have been a lot larger.
Peter Crow Sorrento (pictured) doing a great job playing two for "Angry" Anderson.
John Hammond and his rink continued
their very good form with a solid win over the "always hard to beat" John
Nicholls. Tim Murray & Brian Collins came from a long way back to draw
and lose narrowly respectively.
On the Murray rink I could not help but be
impressed by Doubleview third David "Cosi" Cosgrove. He shaded Ian
Linford which is no mean feat given that I rate Ian as arguably the best player
at Sorrento.
DAWSON THE CONQUEROR
Cambridge 84 (6) def Dalkeith/Nedlands 80 (2)
Whilst the margin of four shots by John Dawson in his win over Dinko Golem
is not great I am sure that it is the secret to beating Dalkeith. Dinko has
a very good team and he skippers them brilliantly.
This was only his second
loss for the season.. As such, Dalkeith are very reliant on Dinko winning and
winning well to set up their victories. With JD and his rink cutting that avenue
of attack off they greatly assisted the other three rinks engaged in battle.
The end result- all close games with Cambridge taking the chocolates.
OVER CONFIDENCE IS A KILLER
Bedford 86 (8) def Osborne Park 62 (0)
As I mentioned in my preview of this round of fixtures " a week is a long
time in bowls". At the risk of being accused of gloating I also suggested
that Osborne Park had to avoid being too complacent after winning so easily
the week before. Whilst I was not at the game it appears from the result that
Osborne Park have taken Bedford too lightly and may pay the ultimate penalty
for doing so. No Promotion.
On form, what do you do in relation to Bedford.
Three weeks ago against Sorrento I was very impressed with their work ethic
and team spirit when they defeated us. The following week they do not give
a yelp with an 8-0 disaster at Doubleview, then this week they flog the top
side 8-0.
You guys are lucky you are not racehorses or you would have punters
shouting obscenities at you in the enclosure.
=============================================
Bedford was a happy place to be on Saturday evening after defeating Osborne
Park for the second time this season.
Cliff Graybrook came from behind to win a tight contest against an Osborne
Park legend, Rance Dewson 20/17. It was agreed that Wally McFarlane was the
best
player for the Bulls on this rink.
Peter Hunter, Nigel Minchin, Peter Healy and Frank Priest had a nice win against
Dante Mariani 23/16.
Kevin Burke won a very hard game against a quality outfit led by Keith Guelfi
who had Chalky White who the Bedford boys thought was best player for them,
Ron Francesconi,and T. Hitchcock, 21/20
Dave Scott had a comfortable win against Doug Eaton. The win was very good
one for Dave considering he didn't have a leader, having to play with three
players is not easy to do, thankfully Tony Garrett and Steve Rushforth played
terrific games backed up
by Dave. Dougs team couldn't get enough bowls in the head and consequently
suffered the penalty. Dave winning 22/9.
I have a pic of three lovely ladies who cheered and supported the O.P players.
Libby the lolly lady made sure the team had good supply jubes. Here we find
them relaxing with a beer after a hard days work cheering for their team
---------------------------L/R:
Ann Wilhelm, Libby Boyd, and Beryl Maynard.