To be considered a contender, you need to win tough away games and that’s exactly what North Perth managed to achieve this week, travelling to the feared ice rink of North Beach in windy conditions. Ben Horwood marked his return after a week off with a dominant display – winning by 21 shots and keeping his opponent to under 10 shots and proved why he is undefeated this season and will be very difficult to beat. Chris “one step, two step” McKenna won by 9 shots over the Postman and the Swiss Master got over the line against Mitten by 4. Pommy and Jones could not be separated as they played out a draw. This win puts the Pioneers on top of the table after 6 rounds and North Beach drop into 8th position. Home games are vital for North Beach so they will be ruing this loss and as they travel to the Stable to take on the Knights this week. North Perth host Mount Lawley in what should be an all captivating derby.

Cambridge travelled to Wanneroo for a top 4 clash which saw the Knights take Wanneroo’s position in the top 3 and send them down the ladder to 5th. Andrew Garlic suited up for his first game of the season and won by 12 over the previously undefeated Toster rink. Scott Palmer beat Nievelstein by double digits and the big win of the day came from Lord Bolton who registered a 17 shot win over the Golding rink and ensured the agg was safe for the day. The consolation point came from David Anderon with his 11 shot win over the Hawkes rink to make sure the home side weren’t eating a donut with their post game drink of sorrow. Still tight between the top half and both teams will be looking to bounce back next week as Cambridge host North Beach and the Roos travel to the Magpies Nest.

Top of the table Quinns travelled to the Mounting Yard with plenty of confidence after a strong start to the season on the back of Shane Smith who was in red hot form and undefeated coming into this game. He remains undefeated after hop, skipping and jumping over Kelly by 2 (Kelly the first rink to limit Smith to under 30 shots this season.) Munnelly and Steve O’Neil played out a draw and Cottier recorded a good 6 shot win over the Hugh Ward led rink. Step up the returning Park/Herriot combination who recorded a whopping 18 shot victory over the Richmond rink to ensure the points stayed with the home side as they enter the top 4 for the first time this season and push Quinns down to 3rd position. Mount Lawley head to the land of the Pioneers next week and Quinns head back home to host bottom of the table Doubleview.

Well, I called it, Yokine are very tough to tip. Based on form, you’d expect the Doggies to have won this one, but Doubleview had other ideas and picked up a very handy aggregate win to keep them in the contest this season. Cameron Bell stepped up to the skipper’s plate and beat Cooper by an impressive 11 shots, but it was the man, the legend, Cosi who got over D’Souza by a comprehensive 20 shots to ensure the agg was safe. The visitors didn’t leave empty handed as Sharp just edged Fredericks by 1 shot and Shaw got up by 4 shots over the evergreen Prickles. Doubleview remain on the bottom and it doesn’t get any easier for them as they head to Quinns next week, hopefully this win gives them some confidence and they can start stringing a few more wins together. Yokine host Sorrento in an important game for both sides to keep in touch with the top 5.

In the battle of the birds, it was the home nest that won and a very important one at that to keep them in the hunt to make their way out of the bottom few spots on the ladder. Ron Rogers recorded a 6 shot win over Wright and Lance Martin returned with a big 16 shot victory over Loran to keep the agg safe for the day. Rink wins are very important and might be the difference come end of the season, so the Maggies would be pleased to leave with 2 points from the Yakuba and Ledingham rinks as they beat Dunstan and Murray. Sorrento remain in 9th position and Warwick finish the round in 7th. Important win for Sorrento with Doubleview winning as well, they both need to keep recording as many points as they can to stay in touch with the few above them. Sorrento head to the Kennell next week and Warwick host a strong Wanneroo side.