-------------------------TIM MURRAY REVIEW ROUND ONE------------------------

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November 7, 2006
DOG DAY AFTERNOONS

Yokine
After the weekend fixtures the Yokine “Doggies” are left winless in what can only be described as a very disappointing performance.
I thought they were “good things” in both games but failed to deliver. They are now drawn to play Victoria Park & Dalkeith/Nedlands over the next two weeks making it very conceivable that they will 0-4 early in the season.
I really feel for Rod Heaton as I know from personal experience is that when you lead a club you take each defeat as you are personally to blame regardless of the result on your rink. After a while it becomes a burden and can affect the way you play yourself.
I hope they win soon otherwise the negative element (all clubs have them) start to gain voice and that can be disastrous. On a brighter note for the club they have some good players set to return soon.

Scarborough
is in deep trouble. They appear undermanned and also finished the weekend winless. The good news for the “Seagulls” is that Graham Brown, Ray Webster and perhaps 22 year old Michael Murray will resume shortly.
Michael who was due to start Cray fishing in Geraldton injured his cruciate ligament in his knee whilst playing grade cricket and is now confined to Perth. He has indicated he will play bowls as soon as medically possible.

Victoria Park
has started the season with two wins and has positioned them well. I believe the win against Dalkeith had an element of luck attached but that it is common for most games.
I have played in far more games than not when luck proved the difference both in the positive and negative in deciding games. The one thing I have learnt over the past twenty years is that the better player you are the more luck you seem to have.

Thornlie
has started the season in very impressive form. The win at Kardinya was meritorious and they have given an early indication that they deserve the wraps that were placed on them pre-season.

Safety Bay
is another club to start with an unblemished record. I stated in a previous article that I thought they would be very strong at this level and the results of the weekend only confirm that belief.

Warwick
should be very pleased with their efforts over the weekend. They ran the favourites close on Saturday and then defeated South Perth at the “Zoo” on Sunday. Well done.

South Perth
is another club that would be reasonably satisfied with its beginning. They won away but then dropped a home game. I am still adopting a wait and see policy with “the Millers”.

Dalkeith/Nedlands
lost no admirers at all over the weekend. Crunched Gosnells on Saturday and lost on the last bowl at Victoria Park on Sunday. They will finish near the top.

Gosnells
once again showed what a fickle game this is. After being demolished by Dalkeith on Saturday they come out and beat one of the other premiership favourites in Yokine on Sunday.
The winning strike rate of the Cruickshank’s does not go unnoticed by this writer. All over they will be satisfied with the start given they were handed a horror starting draw on paper at least.

Kardinya
will look for improvement and should be particularly disappointed at dropping their Saturday match at home. I am not “jumping off” but I will take a “watch” position over the next couple of weeks.