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August 25, 2008


From the pen of Andy

HILTON PARK

UPWARDS & ONWARDS MAYBE?

Well done to Hilton, finishing on top of any division is great reward for a club. Twelve wins and only 4 losses capped off a year that could only be described as brilliant. Now onto White and see what lies in store for the coming season?

Starting the year off with the knowledge that both David Opie and Brad Ball will be wearing some other club’s colours, would be seen by most as an unsatisfactory commencement to Hilton’s 1st White campaign.

The two departing skippers lead rinks that brought home 52% of Hiltons rink wins. Not withstanding the great job completed by Travis and Luke, no club can afford player losses of this magnitude and still have a realistic expectation that they will be competitive in the next grade up. Looking further into last years outcome, the two departing skips accounted for better than 85% of Hilton net shots up. So it is therefore with hope that Hilton have completed some good recruiting or have some home grown talent in the wings just waiting to step up and fill these two rather large holes, either way Hilton will be in for a challenging season.

There is always much talk about the talent gap that exists between Red and White – what is the gap like between White and Blue. Is it as broad or rather a little closer? Being a subjective judgment, I guess the arguments could go on forever. Suffice to say there is a gap and Hilton will be able to judge only to well what that difference may be by the end of this coming season.

It has been my experience that clubs making the transition upwards have stepped out next season with a view to consolidate their recently gained promotion. With only two sides being demoted this was a reasonable outlook for the newly promoted club. Today with four sides being relegated the position is very much different. Promoted clubs need to be looking to win some 8 plus games to begin to get outside the zone of relegation. This places a very different picture on survival. Still we wish Hilton the very best and hope the club has the necessary depth to hang onto their new spot in White.

I am equally certain that David leaves Hilton with their very best wishes, as he has given great service to this club over the years, as well as a quality bowler Hilton lost a very good bloke, things just wont be the same – who will give out the race results now?

This club has been around for a day or two and I’m certain they will field a competitive 16. Whether they will win enough of the close ones will determine this clubs future in White.

Despite my best wishes for their success – I struggle to see them outside the bottom four. Prove me wrong Hilton as you are a great bunch of blokes and always a very hospitable mob to visit with following the game, regardless of the outcome.

Go Hilton

Tarah