Murray's Review on One Blue North.
Round Seven

December 19, 2005
GAME OF THE DAY

I am happy to get only 2 out of 5 this week because it means one of two things, either I am a lousy tipster or the competition is so even that you cannot be sure about any result. I think it is the latter.


Osborne Park vs Bassendean (7-1)

Osborne Park are emerging as a definite premiership contender with a convincing win over one of their challenges in Bassendean.

Steve Black (Bassendean) summed it up perfectly when he advised Osborne Park were just too classy.

He rated the performance of Con Tsokos, Ben Poggi, Peter Maynard and Doug Eaton as the best team performance he has seen for some years. In particular Peter Maynard was the standout. I was not surprised by this assessment as they did that to my team a couple of weeks ago at Osborne Park. Dante Mariani and his rink continued their good form breaking away from John Lynch to win 29-17. Rance Dewson and his rink proved too solid for Tom Norac's outfit winning 28-21. Marcel Heruer playing as a skipper for the first time this year was outstanding in his teams 30--14 win over Keith White.
Gordon Gray (pictured) playing three for Marcel in their big win

Sorrento vs Morrison Park (7-1)

Just when I had convinced myself I had seen it all in this great game along comes another freak result in the match played at Morrison Park.

After all teams has played 19 ends it appeared that Morrison Park were on their way to an 8-0 result leading on all rinks and up by 13 on aggregate. On the last 8 ends collectively Sorrento scored 18-0 to pull off a remarkable 7-1 win. Morrison Park were rightly devastated whilst Sorrento's bus trip home was most enjoyable with all 16 players turning into instant comedians. The news was only better when we got home as we had free drinks waiting because all our 7 divisions had won.

Joe Rolinick (skipper) played superbly for Morrison Park and certainly influenced the result in his teams 24-20 over Tim Murray. For the visitors Michael Murray had his best game for the season and was outstanding with his consistency. New recruit Jarrod (Buck) O'Donoghue 25 (whom last year was Sportsmen's pennant player of the year) produced a brilliant leading performance to help Alan Anderson defeat Steve Wattleworth. John Hammond played the hero on the 84th end when he produced an unorthodox conversion shot with his last bowl to go from 1 down to 4 up. He dined out on that shot all night and I suspect it will not be the last we heat of it. Brian Collins and his rink fell in against Phil Simonetti in a "see-sawing' game.

Nollamara vs Sportsmen's (7-1)

Congratulations Nollamara for finally getting the monkey off the back with a good win against an unpredictable Sportsmen's. Good to see Jeff Post and Brian Wardrop and their teams team break through for their maiden wins. Whilst it will be disappointing for Sportsmen's it is much better for the competition that Nollamara become competitive.


Brian Sawle (pictured) Good player for Nollamara

Cambridge vs Bedford (8-0)

I mentioned in my preview that Cambridge's form had been horrible. What a difference a week makes. They were far too good for a disappointing Bedford.
While Bedford were disappointing, the rink of Garry Hawkes, Martin Saunders Graham Leek and Wilbur Sherrington were particularly good in their win against Brian Tuppers rink.
Graham Leek (pictured) playing as the second was the best player of the rink with an outstanding display. his conversion shots were played a treat and over the 21 ends he played hardly a bad bowl

Lindsay Bennett and his rink also played very well to beat the reliable rink of Peter Hunter 25/12
John Dawson just got across the line in the most competitive game of the day against Kevin Burke's rink 19/18

Dalkeith/Nedlands vs Doubleview (8-0)

Dalkeith are really flexing their muscles and are looking in great shape. I am looking forward to their clash with Osborne Park when pennants resume. It is far too early to suggest that the winner will win the premiership but it certainly won't hurt. On the other hand the Christmas break has probably come at a good time for Doubleview as their form has tapered right off. A couple of weeks off and they may come back revitalised.