--------------------TIM MURRAY PREVIEW ROUND FOUR------------------------

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November 17, 2006

ONE WHITE PREVIEW ROUND FOUR

This weeks round of fixtures is an absolute beauty. All games have an impact on where teams may or may not finish come seasons end. A win will set some teams up for the year whilst a defeat starts to shuffle them back into the pack.

To those that wrote in to advise Sherro that I have not yet selected my finishing order this year, I advise, that because I thought this competition was so even pre-season that I would cheat a little and wait until 5 round had been played before making any predictions.

Dalkeith/Nedlands vs Yokine
A vital clash for both sides. Unfortunately for the “doggies” they will be missing Rod Heaton whom is interstate on business related matters.
His place will be taken by Michael Yates who will relish the opportunity of returning to his favourite position.
The other bad news for Yokine is that Allan Davis (one of the most underrated players ever) has delayed his return to Saturday pennants.

Mark Krajancic and his rink are in sparkling form but on the downside Dalkeith will look for a better return from Dinko Golem and his rink. This will be close and hard fought but I am leaning towards Dalkeith to prevail. In the three rounds thus far I have picked Yokine twice to win and once to lose for a 0-3 return.

They have not helped my tipping in Sherro’s competition one bit.

Gosnells vs Scarborough
Even this early in the season this is a must win for Scarborough or they can start making plans for the ludicrous One Blue system.

I cannot guarantee the reliability of this information but I have been advised that neither Robbie nor Bert Cruickshank will play for Gosnells this weekend.

If this is correct it will be Scarborough’s best opportunity to break through. The Seagulls have also re-organised their rinks after Steve Stokes (a very handy player) and Robert Trow (a very good player) failed to find early season form and have appointed Barry Powell as skipper.
Barry is a fierce competitor and I will be surprised if he does not enjoy success.

Seagulls by a feather.

Safety Bay vs South Perth

Another ripper. Whilst Safety Bay have done nothing wrong and deservedly occupy top spot on the table.

I have been really impressed with the way South Perth has gone this year. They have enough quality players to win this one against the odds at Safety Bay.

Kevin Howieson (pictured) South Perth Skipper has a big win last week

Victoria Park vs Kardinya

Very hard to go past Victoria Park in this one. Kardinya are a good side but may lack the depth of “the Reds” outfit.
Victoria Park can expect more from the rink of Graeme Wishart who at this early stage has 1-2 record. Pre-season, I did not expect the State skipper to lose more than three games for the entire season making that assumption hard to fulfil. Graeme is a proud man and I expect him to bounce back hard and string a run of victories together.

Victoria Park at home.

Warwick vs Thornlie

I have not picked Warwick to win once this season but that is due more to their draw than any lack of respect for the team.
Last week, Warwick’s most decorated skipper John Mather copped an uncharacteristic thumping but I doubt that will occur very often.

On the other hand Thornlie were surprise (to me in any event) losers last week and will be keen to atone.
Despite that loss I am forming the opinion that Thornlie are genuine premiership chances.
A loss this weekend will make me seriously revaluate why I hold Thornlie in such high esteem. This could go either way but I will stick with Thornlie.