Results pretty much as predicted this week. Barring a massive change in form we are really down to 2 teams for the top spot and automatic promotion to One White. It is going to be a battle royale between Vic Park and Kalamunda - two very good teams and the return clash due in the first round of fixtures after the xmas break should go along way to determining who will come out on top. My Indian bookmaker contact Virat Suchy has informed me that Vic Park remain at the top of betting but Kalamunda are still close behind. It is write your own ticket on the rest. At the other end of the ladder 6 teams are all around the same standard and will be desperate to stay out of the bottom 2 positions and guaranteed demotion. Let’s have a quick look at the results:
After a promising start to the season Kardinya have hit the proverbial brick wall following another loss over the weekend to Forrestfield. An important 7 points lifts Forrestfield to 5th place on the ladder whilst Kardinya drop to 7th. The Wicks and Cummings rinks were the big winners for Forrestfield whilst the only point for Kardinya came courtesy of a 1 shot win by Ian Barrie over Rhys Tillemans. It’s not panic stations yet for Kardinya but they will be desperate to win next week over Rockingham at home to get their season going again.
Victoria Park Carlisle 91 (7) vs Dalkeith Nedlands 64 (1)
(Gary Beckwith 25 - Andrew Foster 16) (Graeme Wishart 22 - Martin Saunders 20) (Lee Such 16 - Jesse Brown 19) (Michael Simms 28 - Lindsay Richardson 9)
A comfortable win at home by the premiership favourites over Dalkeith. Stand in skipper Michael Simms was dominant over Lindsay Richardson whilst Gary Beckwith also dealt with Andrew Foster by a comfortable 9 shots. Jesse Brown capably supported by Michael Zusman continued his good form with a narrow 3 shot win over Lee Such (and thanks to Michael Zusman for sending thru the Dalkeith report this week). Vic Park up to 6 wins in a row and sounds of Queen’s “We are the Champions" could be heard coming out of Lee Such’s cassette player post game.
Rockingham 89 (8) vs Thornlie 63 (0)
(Bruce Edwards 18 - Mark Separovich 13) (Lindsay Atkins 28 - Norman Holden 20) (Marcus Simpson 24 - Michael Yates 12) (Russell McIlveen 19 - Daniel Slade 18)
It would have been a long drive home post game for the Thornlie side after a disappointing afternoon down Rockingham. Huge however for Rockingham with the maximum points taking them up to 4th place on the ladder. The big winner was Marcus Simpson over Michael Yates and I don’t think I would have wanted to be in Michael Yates car for the return trip. Rockingham doing really well for their first season bak in Div 1 Blue and will be setting their sights on 3rd position. Thornlie face another away fixture next week vs South Perth so another tricky away match.
Kalamunda 106 (7) vs Warnbro 53 (1)
(Dwayne Wooltorton 10 - George Jackson 18) (Ian Cornthwaite 42 - Garry Watts 8) (Wayne Olive 25 - Troy Dellar 16) (William Brandsma 29 - Barry Kalinowsky 11)
Not ideal when the opposition doubles your score but Kalamunda were in a bad mood and took it out on Warnbro at home on Saturday. The only winner for Warnbro was the good Dr G who continued his good season. As a young man Dr G had a starring role in "All Creatures Great and Small “ but gave up a promising career because it got in the way of his lawn bowls each weekend. The Brandsma rink continues to roll along and remain undefeated. I have it on good authority that young Andrew Brandsma is telling teammates that it won’t be long before and and old man Bill will be changing positions. Not sure about that one.
Fremantle 83 (7) vs South Perth 72 (1)
(Dinko Golem 19 - David Mortley 16) (John Smith 20 - Peter Holmes 21) (Kenneth Atkins 22 - Michael McRae 20) (Shaun McCormack 22 - Farley Anderson 15)
Fremantle take themselves off the bottom of the ladder with a comfortable win over a depleted South Perth side. In recent weeks Thornlie have passed the baton to Fremantle who in turn have passed it now to South Perth. South Perth will be hoping that they can also pass it on pretty quickly as it is not something you want for too long. It was game where all rinks were very close but the difference was the comfortable win by Shaun McCormack over the Anderson/Petrich combination. South Perth have a must win next week at home against Thornlie next week.