Another very interesting weekend of fixtures as we reach the end of round 6 and one-third of the season completed. What can we say at this point in the season in trying to predict how the remainder of the season will unfold:
- Firstly the season remains very close and that’s because virtually every team is hard to beat at home.
- Both Kalamunda and Kardinya have an edge over the remaining sides at this point and they would be strong favourites to finish in the top 2 spots come the end of the season. Both sides have won away from home and this probably separates them from the other 8 teams at this point.
- But as Kardinya showed over the weekend they are both still somewhat vulnerable away from home. Warnbro thanks to a great performance from the Barry Kalanowsky rink was able to comfortably secure the aggregate by 17 shots dropping Kardinya back to 2nd spot on the ladder. It hard to see anyone defeating Warnbro at home but is equally hard to see them winning one away from home. Where will that leave them come season’s end?
- Our other top side, Kalamunda bounced back this week and it was the Bill Brandsma rink again that saw them win the aggregate by 16 shots. Brandsma was dominant over Jim Stean with a 17 shot win to remain undefeated.
- Dalkeith Nedlands continued their improved form with a comfortable victory over 3rd placed Rockingham. A total of 15 points from the past 2 matches (both at home) has seen the Dalkeith side get off the bottom of the ladder. I said before the game if Dalkeith could control the Simpson rink they would have a great chance of winning this one. Jesse Brown and his crew did this well with a 3 shot win.
- Of interest I note the inclusion of Michael Yates for his 1st game of the season with Dalkeith. Yates who works as the green keeper for Dalkeith will be a good inclusion and help strengthen the Dalkeith back end.
- Rossmoyne after being well beaten last week also bounced back strongly at home with an 11 shot win over Willetton. Again Willetton were very competitive but unfortunately for them they walk away with just 1 point.
- Cockburn again confirmed their home ground advantage with a crushing 50 shot victory over Forrestfield. They are starting to take on Warnboro like perceptions when playing at home and if they can maintain this throughout the season they should finish top 4.
We now have 3 matches remaining in the lead up to the xmas break and with ladder positions very tight each match will be critical. Any team that can somehow record an away win would significantly enhance their season prospects. In Round 7 we have the following match ups:
Forrestfield vs Kalamunda
Thornlie vs Warnbro
Willetton vs Cockburn
Kardinya vs Dalkeith
Rockingham vs Rossmoyne
Looking forward to the preview later in the week.
Warnbro 80 (6.5) vs Kardinya 63 (1.5)
(Barry Kalinowsky 29 - Norm Ball 8) (George Jackson 18 - Brett Adams 18) (Jason Pattullo 21 - John Rochford 16) (Troy Dellar 12 - Danny Comrie 21)
Kalamunda 82 (6.5) vs Thornlie 66 (1.5)
(Dwayne Wooltorton 20 - Robert Carruthers 12) (Frank Carbone 18 - Daniel Slade 18) (Wayne Olive 15 - Mark Separovich 24) (William Brandsma 29 - Jim Stean 12)
Dalkeith Nedlands 76 (7) vs Rockingham 60 (1)
(Darren Redeckis 24 - Lindsay Atkins 15) (Jesse Brown 19 - Marcus Simpson 17) (Lindsay Richardson 21 - Mark Devenny 9) (Martin Saunders 12 - Bruce Edwards 19)
