Tim Murray previews One White

November 26, 2009

Round 6 Review One White

Following the double header their are some teams that will be desperate to make up lost ground, some teams intent on extending a good patch of form and teams that simply need to win a game if only for self respect.

All games have taken on the importance of either setting teams up or damaging ambitions at final placing’s. After this round the season is 1/3 completed and teams need to be positioned to either have a run at the finals or be in a position that they give themselves a realistic chance of avoiding demotion.

Just for a change I am going to select on what the statistics tell me and take off my rose coloured glasses in respect to some teams.

Bassendean (5th) vs Stirling (1st)

After losing both games in a horror weekend the last team Bassendean probably wanted to meet this week is Stirling. After 5 rounds Stirling boast 3 skippers (Tony Krajancic, Shane Knott & Neville Stevens) in the top 5 of First Division White

Between them they have won 13 times from 15 starts with a staggering 162 shots up. Tony is 5-0 with 76 shots up. In comparison Bassendean’s best skipper in “Colt” Patterson comes in at number 14 (3-2 plus 9). Based on those stats it is difficult to make a case for Bassendean but as we know lawn bowls is a fickle game and an upset is not beyond comprehension.

The previous sentence notwithstanding I select Stirling to win even at Bassendean’s home ground. I know I am stating the obvious but another Bassendean loss has dire ramifications for a season that started out full of confidence.

Stirling

Cambridge (10th) vs Manning (4th)

Manning skipper John Francisco (pictured) is yet to lose a game this season has played a big part in Manning Eagles good showing this season

I am expecting the John Francisco led rink to again lead the way in an Eagles victory. I admit John has slipped under my radar and is currently unbeaten with a (4-0-1 plus 48 record). He is ranked number 3 this division.

Conversely no Cambridge skipper has won more than one game this season. Whilst the game is at the home of the Knights I will be more than surprised if Manning let this opportunity to consolidate slip.

Manning




Kardinya (2nd) vs Thornlie (3rd)

This game should be a ripper with 5 skippers (2 from Kardinya & 3 from Thornlie) sitting in the top ten skippers for the division.

For the Kats Danny Comrie is undefeated at number 2 plus 67 and Michael Yates at number 9 plus 19. Thornlie provide numbers 6, 7 & 8 in the form of Paul Pohe, Ian Rewell and Glynn Vaughan, with a combined plus of 82 shots.

I am selecting Kardinya with a fair degree of confidence because of the home ground factor and the small fact that they are undefeated this season. At the time of this report they look to be Stirling’s only threat for the coveted number 1 position.

Kardinya

Osborne Park (9th) vs Kalamunda (8th)

Off all the 8 skippers in this match only Keith Guelfi can hold his head high in relation to win/loss ratio. Keith has a (3-2) record minus 1. All other skippers are on the wrong end of the ledger.

As I stated before both these teams are choc full of ability and talent but their records are not demonstrating anything like this. One of these teams has the chance to get on a winning run and I suspect it may be Osborne Park at home.

Osborne Park

Wanneroo (7th) vs Dalkeith/Nedlands (6th)


Dalkeith's John McIntosh in action last season at Osborne Park



Should be a good game. The most successful skipper in this match is Dalkeith’s Tony Skoric who rounds out a top ten position. Echo Widermanski is Wanneroo’s top skipper with a (3-2) record whilst Dalkeith’s John McIntosh and Roo Derek Bowen both sit on (2-2-1) returns for the season.


Last weekend saw Dalkeith win both games whilst Wanneroo lost both. With that sort of form comparison it is difficult to pick any other way than Dalkeith.

Dalkeith














TIM MURRAY