Well our Blue South ladder is starting to take a bit of shape with 3 rounds down. We now only have one undefeated team in Rockingham who are being closely pursued by 7 other teams all with at least one and in some cases two wins. That leaves two teams yet to register a win in Dalkeith and Rossmoyne. With two matches on the Sunday decided by a single shot it is perhaps shaping as a tighter season than what I was perhaps expecting . Let’s have a quick look at how the weekend results helped shape our current ladder.
1st Rockingham
Our only undefeated team and they took full advantage of playing both fixtures at home over the weekend. Wins over Willetton and Safety Bay see them sit 3 points clear in top spot. They look the real deai and I would be very surprised if they are not in a top 3 spot come the end of the season.
2nd South Perth
A very steady start to the season from the Miller’s and they are looking good. A great effort over the weekend and very unlucky not to win both fixtures played away from home. A solid win over Dalkeith followed by a one shot defeat at Willetton. Given a very strong home ground advantage they a firming for a top 3 position come season’s end.
3rd Armadale
My pre season favourite and whilst they are sitting one out one back in 3rd they have yet to hit top gear. I thought that they would beat Kardinya on Saturday but it was the home team that walked away with the points and then back at home on Sunday they defeated Dalkeith. Yet to hit peak form but still favour them for a top 3 position given the quality playing stocks.
4th Kardinya
Wasn’t sure what to expect from Kardinya pre season but they are well and truly in the mix for a top 3 finish. A very important home win over the strong Armadale side on Saturday followed by an even more important away win at Gosnells by just one shot. With one of the better home ground advantages going around they will be tough to handle all season.
5th Safety Bay
Newly promoted and already 2 wins on the board. The were too good for Cockburn at home on Saturday and then travelled to Rockingham on the Sunday to register a respectable 2 points. They are building nicely into the season and cannot be taken lightly.
6th Willetton
Sitting in 6th position with 2 wins and always very competitive in every match. They were no match for the undefeated Rockingham outfit on the Saturday and scrambled to a 5-3 win over South Perth on the Sunday. They seem overly reliant on the Girvan rink and will need to lift if they hope to move up the ladder.
7th Gosnells
Sitting in 7th place with just 1 win but seem to be on the improve. A tremendous victory on the Saturday away at Rossmoyne followed by a heartbreaking defeat at home against Kardinya on Sunday. What might have been but Gosnells starting to flex a bit of muscle and they could well be headed for a rise up the ladder over coming weeks.
8th Cockburn
Recorded their first win of the season with a solid home win over Rossmoyne on the Sunday and 7.5 points. They certainly needed that given a loss at Safety Bay the day before. There on the board which is important but without that strong home ground from last season they may struggle to get any momentum this season.
9th Dalkeith and 10th Rossmoyne
Both clubs on early life support without a victory after 3 rounds. Dalkeith has been competitive away from home with 2 points on both occasions but failed at home on Saturday against South Perth. Rossmoyne with just 1.5 rink wins are also really struggling and were surprisingly defeated at home by Cockburn in what looked their best opportunity to record a win on Saturday. Both teams need a win urgently and with both playing at home this weekend this could be a great opportunity to get things back on track.
Willetton 73 (5) vs South Perth 72 (3)
(Alan Walters 15 - Wayne Bezant 19) (Cameron Girvan 23 - Robert Urquhart 14) (Gavin Dodge 15 - Steve Kelly 18) (Justin Wright 20 - Neale Griffin 21)
Armadale 85 (6) vs Dalkeith Nedlands 67 (2)
(Daniel Brown 18 - Michael Yates 15) (Eddie Gollan 34 - Martin Saunders 12) (Kevin McKay 13 - Jesse Brown 19) (Stewart Gosstray 20 - Darren Redeckis 21)
Gosnells 87 (1) vs Kardinya 88 (7)
(Brett Holland 16 - Garry Knight 26) (Eoghan Gahan 28 - Dave Wood 13) (Lachlan Smith 23 - John Rochford 26) (Rue Bishop 20 - Aaron Gale 23)
Cockburn 82 (7.5) vs Rossmoyne 73 (0.5)
(Brett Parker 22 - Raymond Halse 21) (James Wylie 22 - Reza Vind 19) (Kelli Wray 20 - Craig Edson 15) (Mark (Sydney) Game 18 - Anthony Churcher 18)
Rockingham 79 (6) vs Safety Bay 68 (2)
(Bradley Cole 22 - Ron Hall 14) (Bruce Edwards 12 - Steven Adams 17) (Lindsay Atkins 16 - Raymond Clark 21) (Mark Devenny 29 - Raymond Kennedy 16)
