Murray's Review on One Blue North.
Round Thirteen
February 20, 2006
CONGRATULATIONS DALKEITH/NEDLANDS
It may seem a big call to be congratulating Dalkeith with five rounds still
to be played but after last Saturday's results all the omens and indicators
are pointing to a Dalkeith premiership. The only two clubs that could possibly
catch the favourites are Osborne Park and Bassendean. The bad news is they
still have to play each other. On the other hand Dalkeith have what appears
a "soft" run home with the only real danger game being against Osborne
Park. Given that game is at Dalkeith and that Osborne Park have been in reverse
gear over the past four weeks (apart from one annihilation against relegation
bound Sportsmen's) it does not appear likely that Dalkeith will falter at this
stage.
Dalkeith rise has been meteoric as twelve months ago they were a second division
club and now appear certain to be promoted to first division white in that
timeframe. Under the previous system they would be heading to first division
blue.
Whilst there are winners there will always be losers and in this division I
consider that Bassendean have copped 'the rough end of the pineapple".
They were a legitimate one blue side whom narrowly missed promotion to first
white last year. To add insult to injury they have played Dalkeith twice this
year and beaten them on both occasions. This continues to re-enforce my rigid
belief that we must return to a finals series that includes promotion. Under
our current system unless Bassendean can finish on top they might remain in
this division for the next ten years. Alternatively they can exit one blue
north by finishing 9th or 10th.
The above notwithstanding, Dalkeith have been outstanding this season and deserve
every success that comes their way.
KNIGHTS RUIN SWANS DAY
Cambridge 7 (93) def Sorrento 62 (1)
I am probably very much in the minority but I have never put much stock in
home ground advantage. Like my other sporting passion, football (Australian
rules) I believed I could play well anywhere. I just had to go out and do
it. Of course, it didn't always transpire that I played well but it certainly
wasn't because of any venue, be it Burracoppin or Leederville oval. I treat
my bowls the same way. It is no harder to play at Cockburn or Lake Monger,
it is just the quality of the opposition is very different.
However, I came away from Cambridge on Saturday with a slightly different
view. They have a distinct advantage on their new carpets and exploited it
perfectly. They raced to an early 30 shot lead and that winded up being the
margin at the end. Time and time again I saw our best players continually
play down the wrong line. On the bus trip home most players admitted to guessing
rather than knowing what the weight to line ratio was. On the other hand
Cambridge handled the carpet and windy conditions with aplomb and are to
be congratulated on handing Sorrento its biggest hiding of the year.
The switch of Lindsay Bennett to third and evergreen Jim Gupanis to skipper
was a very good move with both players enjoying a great day in accounting
for Brian Collins and his team. Keith Cannon and team were far too consistent
for Alan Anderson whilst John Dawson proved he is one of the best skippers
in this division beating the consistent John Hammond by 10 shots.
The only
positive for Sorrento was the win by Tim Murray and his team against Gary
Hawkes. For the third week in a row Murray was well down, 6-12 before recording
a good 21-13 win.
The difference this week was that we were not playing that
poorly but Gary Hawkes was playing brilliantly making at least five conversions.
Gary lifted his foot from our throat on about the 12th end and with leader
Gary Dennis in sparkling touch we were finally able to hold on to numbers
and make a couple of conversions ourselves.
CRUEL, CRUEL GAME
Morrison Park 83 (7.5) def Bedford 77 (0.5)
Whilst Morrison Park have taken all but the full count in this game their biggest
winning margin on any rink was just 3 shots. Bedford will probably feel aggrieved
and have right to be so. However, as we all know this is a cruel game (ask
Bedford) and wonderfully kind at the same time (ask Morrison Park). Congratulations
to Martin Wattleworth for your win in your debut game as skipper this season.
Martin's son Stephen and Tony Nattalotto also continue their good run. The
win elevates Morrison Park into 4th place.
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It was a hard day at the office for the Bulls and to come home with a half
a point isn't a lot of fun. I must compliment the greenkeeper for having a
great green to play on.
Peter Hunter and his rink came from a long way behind to fall short by 3 shots
against Tony Nattalotto. Peter played a terrific game for the Bulls saving
many shots and losing 21/24
Cliff Graybrook was in front most of the game against Martin Wattleworth the
game was lost very close to the end, 20/22.
Steve Wattleworth had a tight game against a determined Kevin Burke led side
and just got there by the barest margin 21/20. The Bedford boys all had a good
game and that augers well for the rest of the season for them
Joe Rolnik and his rink of Crown Paul, Ron Hutchinson and Coffey played very
well to hold out Dave Scott but Joe was the saviour with his deadly accurate
driving that saved many shots for his rink. Miss one of those drives Joe and
you would have lost. He was really the difference between a loss or a draw
for his rink. Dave Scott played very well again as did Tony Garrett, Steve
Rushforth felt he didn't have a big game today still played some great bowls
when they were badly needed. Crown Paul won the leaders dual and he is a pretty
handy sort of a leader.
JOHN NICHOLLS RUNS THROUGH OSBORNE PARK' S PACK
Doubleview 82 (6) def Osborne Park 69 (2)
Just like his (Carlton champion and strongman) namesake, Doubleview's John
Nicholls has run through the Osborne Park line-up. Nicholls and his team have
thumped Keith Guelfi 29-9 to set up an upset win for "the View".
Stan "Spragger" Curtis also won narrowly against the very good Doug
Eaton rink whilst for "the Park" Dante Mariani and Rance Dewson put
a couple of points in the bank. Without taking away from "the Views" great
win, I cannot help but wonder why the sudden loss of form.
Having lost three
of the last four and all but playing yourselves out of premiership contention
there must be some hard questions asked at tonight's selection meeting.
Due
to the fact that you are playing us this weekend I hope you find the answers
the following week.
BOMBO VALLEY BOYS STILL A FAINT CHANCE
Bassendean 101 (7) def Sportsmen's 77 (1)
Bassendean kept their faint hopes alive of winning the premiership by defeating
Sportsmen's as expected. However, from this point onward it only gets harder
for the boys from the bombo valley.
Tom Norac kept his status as the divisions
leading skipper with another win. Marcel Heruer and Jim Savage also recorded
solid wins. The leagues most unpredictable player Mick Dingley gained a point
at the expense of John Lynch.
Mick is a very capable player when in the mood.
However, there are other days when team mates have to mimic the David Bowie
song.
Ground Control to Major Mick
Ground Control to Major Mick
There's something wrong, your circuits dead
Can you hear me Major Mick?
Can you hear me?
ALMOST THERE
Dalkeith/ Nedlands 91 (8) def Nollamara 63 (0)
For the second time this season Dalkeith have blank sheeted bottom side Nollamara
and in the process draw closer to that coveted premiership.
To Nollamara's
credit they have improved as the season has progressed but I think they have
lost five or perhaps six games 0-8. That is the equivalent to only participating
in 11 or 12 games out of a possible 18 for the season. A certain recipe for
demotion.
Once again, well done to Dalkeith players, administrators and the people that
had the foresight to invest in quality players to achieve a desired outcome.
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