--------------TIM MURRAY ONE WHITE REVIEW --ROUND TWELVE-----------

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February 5, 2007
ONE WHITE REVIEW


----------------DALKEITH/NEDLANDS MOVE INTO TOP SPOT


The One White division has a new complexion after the completion of this week’s round.

Just two rounds ago Victoria Park were perched on top with a whopping ten point break over their nearest rivals. In that short time frame they have slipped to second and no longer appear certainties to be promoted.

Dalkeith/Nedlands are in white hot form (no pun intended) and have for the time being in any event taken hold of top spot.

South Perth have put themselves in the contention for a top two finish courtesy of an 8-0 thrashing of another team striving for promotion in Thornlie.

At the other end of the table four has now turned into five teams fighting to stave off relegation. As a result of great wins by Scarborough and Yokine, Safety Bay are now not safe from relegation.

One thing I have suspected for years is that the playing strength between One White and the One Blue is not that great, if any at all. I have played in both divisions and I certainly haven’t seen difference in the standard of game. This year we see the promoted sides from Blue North and Blue South hold 1st and 3rd spots respectively. The real difference in class is that rise from White to Premier (formerly Red) League.

Scarborough 85 (7) def Safety Bay 81 (1)

SEAGULLS FLY IN THE BAY

In a very tightly contested affair down at Safety Bay the Scarborough “Seagulls” continued their amazing form reversal with a great win at Safety Bay. With no more than five shots separating any rink it is obvious how tight the match was.

Safety Bay’s Graham Scott proved too strong for ex North Beach team mate Ron Kuziela whilst Geoff White, Steve Stokes and Barry Powell continued in very good touch.

Dalkeith/Nedlands 92 (8) def Warwick 68 (0)

WILL MARK KRAJANCIC EVER PLAY IN A CLOSE GAME???

That is the question that I am sure many followers of this division are asking.

Mark and his fabulous rink won 35-18 on Saturday to give them an 11-1 with a plus 139 shots up record for the season. These sorts of margins for the Krajancic rink are commonplace.

The Warwick “Magpies” were very competitive on the other rinks with the next highest losing margin being by five.

Yokine 89 (6) def Victoria Park 71 (2)

HEATON VICTORIA PARK

Yokine Club Captain and skipper Rod Heaton really turned up the pressure on Victoria Park by disposing of the promising Thomas Mitchell 27-8 on Saturday. This win combined with Michael Yates taking Graeme Wishart out by 25-21, set up a much needed win for the “Doggies”.

Whilst Yokine has not improved on the ladder it was a very important win as they now have played Victoria Park twice, something the other clubs trying to avoid demotion have not. That in itself is an advantage.

The loss is a bad one for the “Reds” as it throws them back into the pack after appearing to be coasting towards promotion only a couple of weeks ago. Jeff Mitchell returned to the winners list whilst Steve Withers is now Victoria Park’s most successful skipper with an 8-4 plus 60 shot record.

South Perth 93 (8) def Thornlie 63 (0)

RAVENS DON’T GIVE A SQUAWK

Thornlie “Ravens” were humiliated 0-8 on their home track against the enigmatic South Perth on Saturday. South Perth have given themselves an outside chance of finishing in the top two whereby I think Thornlie will have to be satisfied with finishing in the four and taking their chances from there.



Ross Bresland Sth Perth (pictured) playing a big part in the performance of South Perth this season

I know that South Perth are brimful of talent but they are very difficult to get a gauge on. Come finals time they will have to put it together consistently.

I still expect Thornlie to give the promotional opportunity a rattle.

Kardinya 85 (6.5) def Gosnells 77 (1.5)

SMITH SETS UP KARDINYA’S WIN

The ever reliable John Smith and his rink led Kardinya to an important victory out at the railway track on Saturday. I thought the home team Gosnells might sneak this one in but it was not to be as all they could muster was a rink win from Kevin “Bear” Bairstow.

I could be wrong but I do not think Kardinya will make the finals but I am not certain about Gosnells avoiding relegation.
They will have to start winning and winning soon as the season is coming to a rapid conclusion.