Great to be back playing Saturday pennants after a week off. Some very interesting results with probably one big upset (Willetton defeating Rockingham) and a minor one (Dalkeith defeating Cockburn). Let’s have a quick look at the highlights:
Kardinya 116 (6) vs Forrestfield & Districts 65 (2)
Kardinya as expected were too strong for Forrestfield at home but they might feel that they left a point or two on the table given that they were victorious by 51 shots on the aggregate. The Henley/Flintoff combination were dominant with a 37 shot win and that together with a 20 shot win from John Rochford meant an easy win. For Forrestfield wins to Rhys Tillemans and Glenn Sewell allowed them to secure 2 valuable points. However 6 points for Kardinya keeps them in touch with ladder leader Kalamunda. Kardinya face a tough away match next week against Willetton whilst Forrrestfield are back at home against Thornlie.
Warnbro 79 (1) vs Kalamunda 82 (7)
(Barry Kalinowsky 29 - Dwayne Wooltorton 14) (Dennis Pattullo 14 - William Brandsma 19) (George Jackson 15 - Frank Carbone 24) (Troy Dellar 21 - Wayne Olive 25)
An absolute thriller but despite their best efforts at home Warnbro walk away with just 1 point despite just a 3 shot loss on the aggregate. Barry Kalinowsky was dominant with a 15 shot win however wins to Kalamunda on the other 3 rinks meant that walk away with 7 points away from home and retain top place on the ladder. Kalamunda essentially doing what good teams do by winning the close matches and they will return home next week and will be heavy favourites against bottom 4 side Dalkeith. Warnbro far more competitive this week and they take on Rossmoyne at home next week in a must win match.
Well this caught me a bit by surprise with Willetton securing a 7-1 victory against Rockingham away from home. The big result was the win by the Cameron Girvan rink over the Simpson/Currie train by 9 shots. This set the tone and then with the Wright and Walters rinks joining in it meant 7 very important points. It hurts when you loose those home games particularly when you now must travel to Cockburn next Saturday as Rockingham do. Willetton giving themselves a real sniff at a top 3 position and this weeks fixture at home against Kardinya will really tell us where they are at.
Dalkeith Nedlands 104 (7) vs Cockburn 55 (1)
(Andrew Foster 37 - Paul Brotherston 9) (Darren Redeckis 19 - James Wylie 20) (Jesse Brown 22 - Peter Burgess 15) (Martin Saunders 26 - Steve Srhoy 11)
Dalkeith get their season off life support with 7 points at home over Cockburn. Andrew Foster the big winner over the Brotherston rink with Martin Saunders and Jesse Brown also jumping on board it meant a comfortable 49 shot win. Dalkeith jump from 10th to 8th place but face the daunting task of taking on top side Kalamunda away next match. They could well be heading back to hospital unless they can pull off an upset. For Cockburn i did think 5 changes to their side was of concern and lets hope selectors can settle down that side in preparation for an important home game next week against Rockingham on the rebound.
Rossmoyne 104 (6) vs Thornlie 68 (2)
(Allan Petchell 24 - Owen Perryman 27) (Craig Edson 29 - Robert Carruthers 8) (Rawley Lang 32 - Daniel Slade 11) (Reza Vind 19 - Mark Forrester 22)
Rossmoyne did what they needed to do with a comfortable 36 shot win over Thornlie to secure 6 points. They may feel a bit like Kardinya in that it could have been better but 6 points moves them out of the danger zone. Again it was Mayor Lang who led the way with a comfortable 21 shot win to continue his stellar form. The state over 60’s selectors are thought to be running the microscope over Lang and in this sort of form why wouldn’t they. Thornlie probably pleased with 2 away points but unfortunately for them they face another away fixture against Forrestfield which promises to be an intriguing encounter. And speaking of intriguing fixtures Rossmoyne with a pretty poor away record taking on the struggling Warnbro away from home. A lot riding on that match for both teams.