-----------------------TIM MURRAY REVIEW ROUND TEN----------------------

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January 15, 2007
ONE WHITE REVIEW

For the first time this year I have managed 5 out of 5. In my preview I suggested that there may be some surprises and I was correct. The problem was that the surprises did not come in the shape of upsets but by the scores recorded. For example, South Perth’s Keith Howieson won by 17 shots but that was only the 6th highest winning margin. Victoria Park’s Steve Withers won by an astonishing 37 shots.

Bowls is an incredible game in that attitude and confidence accounts for a very large percentage of your success. I have seen the most talented of players perform like they have not got a clue whilst an average player on a day when their attitude and confidence are up can’t be beaten with a stick.

Here is a classic example. Three years ago the Warwick club survived demotion to the then One Gold with a conversion on the last bowl of the season. The following year, the same 16 players won First Division Blue and were promoted to First Division White. It defies logic.

Safety Bay 93 (6) def Yokine 69 (2)

BAY’S BEAUMONT & BEARD BRILLIANT

Safety Bay easily accounted for a sadly out of form Yokine down at the Bay on Saturday. The architects for the victory came in the form of the rinks skippered by Glen Beaumont and Ray Beard winning by 18 and 13 shots respectively.
Ray having his first start as a skipper for his new club claimed a very big scalp in Tony Kay by inflicting only his second loss for the season on him and his rink. Very pleased to see Michael Yates break through and I suspect he may now get on a roll.

South Perth 93 (6.5) def Scarborough 71 (1.5)

HOWIESON HAPPY-POWELL PERPLEXED

South Perths Keith Howieson (pictured) brought the previously undefeated rink of Barry Powell to a sudden stop with a 32-15 mauling.

This game was the major difference between the two clubs as all the other three games were very close. South Perth have positioned themselves well whilst the relegation demon is still looking directly at Scarborough.

Thornlie 95 (8) def Kardinya 50 (0)

A BIG MAC TO GO.

Big Jim McKenzie (pictured) recorded his best effort for the year thus far with a 32-11 thrashing of the very talented Tony Cocodis. To gain the maximum count of 8 points is a great result for “The Ravens” particularly against what I consider to be more than capable opposition.

Looking at the Thornlie team from a distance as I have no idea what their internal politics are it appears the move of Ric Gilbert to skipper is a very positive step.  

Victoria Park 114 (8) def Warwick 47 (0)

SIMPSON IS GONE BUT SMITHERS IS ALIVE AND WELL

With the departure of his good mate Mark Simpson one could have been forgiven for wondering how this would affect Steve “Smithers” Withers.
Steve responded with one of the biggest wins recorded for some time in decimating the rink of Alan Hogarth 41-4. Graeme Wishart won by a lazy 22 over new skipper Evan O’Sullivan whilst the two Mitchell’s, Jeff and Tom completed the rout.

I hate to state the obvious but Warwick are in desperate trouble with no skippers being in the positive in relation to shots up after ten rounds.  

Dalkeith/Nedlands 114 (7) def Gosnells 68 (1)

KRAJANCIC CONTINUES ON HIS MERRY WAY

Dalkeith’s Mark Krajancic and his fantastic rink improved their record to 9-1 with a plus 105 shot advantage. At this level of bowls it is an unbelievable effort.
The victim this week was Trevor Gibbs who went down 12-37. I was not at the game but I think it would be a fair bet to suggest that Mark would have been letting Gosnells know about it as well.
Tony Skoric and the underrated Peter Bacich also weighed in with good wins. It is not panic stations yet for Gosnells but they will be keen to record a couple of wins over the next few weeks.