-----------TIM MURRAY ONE WHITE REVIEW --ROUND SEVENTEEN-----------

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March 19, 2007
ONE WHITE REVIEW

--------BOWLS PROVE AGAIN THAT IT IS NOT OVER TILL IT’S OVER-------

In my round Round 17 preview I predicted that the final four and the teams to be relegated would be determined after last weekends round of fixtures.
Well not for the first time this season I was proven wrong. Starting at the foot of the table Warwick have given themselves a very good chance of avoiding relegation if they can defeat the bottom placed Scarborough at Warwick this week.

Of course they need Yokine to lose but they will gain confidence in the fact is that the “Doggies” opponent is a rejuvenated Thornlie who swept premiership hopeful Dalkeith/Nedlands away with an 8-0 win.
Thornlie need to win and win well to have any chance of making the four so they will not travel to Yokine in a lackadaisical frame of mind.

Moving to the top of the table, the two top sides in Victoria Park & Dalkeith were both beaten. The impact on Victoria Park is minimal because unless sensational results occur on Saturday whereby they do not win on a rink at home against Gosnells and South Perth defeat Kardinya 8-0 at Kardinya, Victoria Park will finish on top.

However the ramifications of the Dalkeith defeat could not have been worse for the club. Not only have they forfeited any chance of top spot but they now have to rely on winning and South Perth losing to have a double chance. There is even a remote chance that if they were defeated they will not make the four at all.
No one will want to play Kardinya in the finals as they have won their last seven games and are indisputably the form team in the competition. Interesting weekend coming up.

South Perth 103 (8) def Yokine 54 (0)

“THESE DOGGIES NEED TO SEE A VET”

The Yokine “Doggies” are unwell. In a very important game they have not only lost 0-8 but went down one shy of a fifty shot deficit. I know South Perth are a good side but when I compare player lists of the two clubs there is no way that South Perth should be beating Yokine by fifty shots.
Michael Yates continued his wretched season with a 9-32 hiding at the hands of Ross Bresland whilst Tony Kay’s good early season form has deserted him as he was brushed aside 11-28 by Scott Walker.

I hate to state the obvious but Yokine are in serious trouble. I don’t think they will beat Thornlie next week and will have to hope that Scarborough defeat Warwick to allow them to remain in the division.

Safety Bay 81 (7) def Victoria Park 77 (1)

SAFETY BAY A REAL MONKEY ON REDS BACK

Victoria Park will be one club pleased not to have Safety Bay playing in the finals. Over the past few years the “Bay” has really hurt the “Reds” in important games.

All games were very close with Ray Beard and Greg Beaumont handing out a two shot thrashing to Jeff Mitchell and Graeme Wishart respectively. Both other games were decided by a solitary shot.

Thornlie 80 (8) def Dalkeith/Nedlands 58 (0)

RAVENS IN FORM REVERSAL

Against all form indicators The Thornlie “Ravens” have produced their best performance of the season with a resounding 8-0 win over the faltering Dalkeith/Nedlands. About four weeks ago Dalkeith were on top of the ladder and appeared headed towards the premier division next season. Those plans are now in tatters and they will have to recapture their form very quickly if they expect to figure prominently in the finals.

"The Big Mac" Jim McKenzie Thornlie (pictured) has had a good season and makes it hard for Dalkeith last Saturday



Thornlie’s Jim McKenzie’s added insult to injury when he overhauled a six shot deficit with two ends to play to defeat Tony Skoric by one to give Thornlie maximum points.

Warwick 75 (6) def Gosnells 61 (2)

MAGPIES STILL FLYING

Warwick “Magpies” have given themselves a really good chance of avoiding relegation with a great win over Gosnells down at the railway track on Saturday. They need to defeat Scarborough at Warwick and rely on Thornlie to be too good for Yokine.
The Warwick win was set by the Gerdz led rink in overcoming Kevin “Bear” Bairstow 27-12. Evan O’Sullivan is continuing his good run and has a very good rink backing him up.

Kardinya 78 (7) def Scarborough 76 (1)

KARDINYA EXTEND WINNING RUN TO SEVEN

Kardinya won their seventh match in succession and in doing so sent Scarborough into the One Blue competition next year. In a thrilling contest only one shot separated the teams at the completion of the 83rd end but unfortunately for the “Seagulls” it was Kardinya that held shot to seal the two shot aggregate win.

------------------------------ADDITIONAL COMMENT

(One Blue- North and South)

Further to my comment about the absurdity of the current One Blue (North & South). Whilst it is certain two North clubs from One White will be relegated to One Blue next season I noticed something that may rescue Bowls WA from alienating another club.

I see that Osborne Park head the table in second division Gold. If they are successful then that would mean the club would have two teams in the same division. With Byford and Safety Bay looking likely to win promotion to One Blue South I say happy traveling to one of those Osborne Park teams.

On that note if Midland/Morrison survive relegation they should also be brought back into the One Blue North where they belong and give another club the burden of having to travel to another region every second week.

To keep Midland/Morrison in the South for two consecutive years is unfair on that club and they should not be the annual victim of a very flawed initiative.