FLAG
1st to the flag match PROMOTION
1st automatic promoted
2nd plays 3rd, the winner will play against either 7th or 8th in White DEMOTION
9th and 10th automatic demoted
7th and 8th will play against the winner of 2v3 in 2nd div games
Incredible weekend of bowls held in balmy weather conditions. Some big upsets and I am still not any clearer around final ladder positions come the end of the season.
The final three matches will tell a tale and let’s have a quick look at the highlights over the weekend:
Kalamunda 82 (5) vs Dalkeith Nedlands 64 (3)
(Arthur Bartlett 16 - Jesse Brown 17) (Ian Cornthwaite 13 - Martin Saunders 18) (Wayne Olive 13 - Andrew Foster 16) (William Brandsma 40 - Lindsay Richardson 13)
Bill Brandsma continued his sublime form with a dominant rink win that enabled Kalamunda to secure the aggregate against Dalkeith. But Dalkeith battled hard and were able to secure 3 valuable away points to help them remain out of the bottom 2 spots. I did suggest that Kalamunda remained favourites for 2nd place but after Kardinya’s upset win on the weekend the odds have narrowed. It might all come down to a tricky away fixture against Warnbro this week - win that and 2nd place could be a big step closer. For Dalkeith 3 very tough finishing matches against teams towards the top of the ladder. Yet to loose at home this season they face the ultimate test against Vic Park at home this week. Win that and they are closer to safety.
Victoria Park Carlisle 72 (1) vs Kardinya 90 (7)
(David Florance 18 - Norm Ball 26) (Gary Beckwith 19 - Conn Vinci 17) (Graeme Wishart 16 - Ian Barrie 27) (Lee Such 19 - Geoffrey White 20)
Probably Kardinya’s best win of the season - an away win at the Vic Park fortress.I probably did not see that coming but Vic Park have been up and about for quite a while so probably not surprising that they dropped this game. Vic Park still safe at the top but this win is huge for Kardinya and they now have a very legitimate claim on 2nd spot. Rumour has it that despite a rink loss themselves the the Da Vinci party grabbed a bottle of bubbly from Lee Such’s bag late in the game to celebrate the big win. Norm Ball was seen wandering over to have a quick glass between ends. But they still have work to be done with 3 tough games although 2 will be at home in between a trip to Rockingham. Vic Park will look to get things back on track next week when the travel to Dalkeith.
Fremantle 71 (6) vs Warnbro 69 (2)
(Dinko Golem 20 - Barry Kalinowsky 15) (Kenneth Atkins 18 - John Radford 19) (Peter Wachmer 16 - Troy Dellar 15) (Shaun McCormack 17 - George Jackson 20)
Freo kept their slim hopes of survival alive with a 6-2 win over Warnbro. The increased training during the week paid dividends but every match is really now a must win and it starts this week against South Perth away from home. To me the loser of that match is a dead duck while the winner will give themselves a real chance at surviving. For Warnbro they are still perilously placed but with 2 home games to come they will back themselves to win both of these and survive. They face the out of form Kalamunda at home next week in what should be a very entertaining match. A loss in this one and Warnbro could be in trouble.
Rockingham 80 (6) vs South Perth 76 (2)
(Bruce Edwards 23 - Wayne Bezant 15) (Lindsay Atkins 13 - Tom Reid 19) (Marcus Simpson 19 - Steve Kelly 27) (Mark Devenny 25 - David Mortley 15)
Rockingham did just enough to hold South Perth a bay and record a 6-2 win on the weekend. It was another pretty good effort from SP but again they could not quite get over the line. They play match of the round vs Fremantle at home next week. They will fancy their chances but this one won’t be one for the feint hearts. Can SP pull of an houdini and win their final 3 matches and survive. They will desperately want to do so and I am not ruling it out just yet. But Rockingham are looking at a top 3 finish and it starts this week away from home vs Thornlie. A win in this one and I think they are a great chance at 2nd or 3rd.
Forrestfield 80 (6) vs Thornlie 77 (2)
(Brad Wicks 13 - Daniel Slade 27) (Jarad Weppner 33 - Michael Yates 8) (Rhys Cummings 14 - Eddie Gollan 27) (Rhys Tillemans 20 - Jim Stean 15)
Forrestfield ended Thornlie’s chance on a finals finish with a close 6-2 win at home. They now are in with a real chance of a top 3 finish but the hard work starts this Saturday with an away fixture at Kardinya. This should be a real arm wrestle with the spoils to the winner. Thornlie are now back in the bottom 5 but with 2 winnable home games they should still be safe.