Another week down and another week closer to finals!
Some up and down results and with unavailability for selection there’ll be plenty more changes this week as we try and settle sides for finals.
SIDE 1 def by Mulgrave 1 – Saturday
Well! A terrible performance by our 1’s on Saturday. Going in to the break they held a nice 15 odd shot lead.
After coming out from the break confident of continuing the trend, the side fell asleep and Mulgrave capitalised. Poor effort from a bunch that should know better. Probably enough said about that loss really!
SIDE 1 def Beaumaris 1 – 2nd Sunday
Wow! What a difference 24 hours makes!
After the dismal effort on Saturday the top side went to Beaumaris to tackle their 17sec green and windy conditions on Sunday. They looked flat ,but Steve Ellard revved the group up with a great skippers speech and then it was game on.
The visitors were shocked by our early lead and ability to cope with the conditions. 3 of the 4 rinks got the jump early and the sledging and friction started to build on the McQueen rink with their skip unhappy with his treatment.
Through to about the 60th end it started to tighten up and at one point in the game Beauy hit the front on the big board. All rinks knuckled down and really made sure that lost ends were minimal. There was more heat on the McQueen rink late and that spurred Josh and the boys on to a great win.
Three rinks up and a fantastic effort sets up a mouthwatering clash with the old foe Pakenham this week at home. Selection will again be a talking point and there’ll be changes again for next week.
SIDE 2 def by Ferntree Gully – 2nd
A tough day for the 2s out at Ferntree Gully.
A nice green that runs quickly is something we should pounce on and be able to adjust to. We just didn’t on Saturday and, as we say somewhere every week in one or two of the sides, it’s nearly impossible to cover a big rink loss in competitive games.
The two’s drop to clear second 3pts behind Narre and 3 pts in front of Dandy Club. What this does, of course, is set up a top of the table 1st V 2nd clash this week at home against Narre. The home green is something the 2s need to take advantage of this week. Ensuring that if a rink is down, it stays competitive, and keeps the scores close to give the other rinks opportunity to fight for the win.
We’ll watch this one closely and I’d expect to see the 2’s bounce back hard at home on their favorite green.
SIDE 3 def Cardinia Waters – 2nd
The 3’s have put a big dint in the hopes of Cardinia Waters finals aspirations this week with a big 24 shot overall win to take 16 of the 18 points. Only 1 rink loss and that was by the narrowest of margins made the difference and the other rinks pounced which is perfect.
This week is massive in the overall outlook of the 3’s chances. They go to Narre to play. Narre are 4th and only 17points behind us so the win is a must. There wouldn’t be too many surprises in the section this week but a win will see the 3’s possibly lock in their home final in 3 weeks time. We’re predicting an overall win by 21 shots for the 3s.
SIDE 4 def Parkdale 2 – 6th
The rink of Brian Monaghan, Cheryl Dawson, Brucey Anderson and Trevor Norton set the win up for the 4’s this week with an 11 shot win covering the 11 shot loss on another rink.
The 4’s would have to win every game on the run home from here but are very capable with only South Oakleigh at home in 3 weeks being the hardest task. Remembering they got the wood on us over there on a very ordinarily prepared green, they’ll come here and adjust to the best grass greens in the business.
First things first though, this week they take on Mordialloc 2, a loss will probably kill any chance of finals, but a win could make things very interesting with two rounds to go with a couple of top 4 games this week going in our favour.
SIDE 5 def by Upwey-Tecoma 2 – 7th
Tough ask for our 5th side to beat Upwey’s 2nd side away on the weekend. They go out every week and give their best and playing against clubs top and 2nd sides they do find it a big task at times which is fair enough.
They can’t make finals at this late stage of the season but we’d love to see the 5’s get a few wins up on the run home and maybe upset a few of the top 4 hopes along the way.
Great efforts from Bruce Shearer’s and John Kleverlaan’s rinks in getting up for the win. They host last place Burden Park this week and we are going all out for the 5s to get the win this week.
SIDE 6 def Edithvale 3 – 1st
The sixers put a massive hole in Edithvale’s top 4 chances this week with a stirring win against the strong Edithvale side.
What they’ve definitely done now is locked in a home final on the 12th March. They are only 7pts in front of Churchill Waverley Golf 2 so a win this week against the inform Hampton will see some interest this week. 2 rinks up and 2 rinks down so 14 points is a good return.
Special mention to the big wins of Pat Steere and Bill Stilo’s rinks set the day up.
SIDE 7 def Moorabbin 5 – 1st
The 7’s have had a huge 49 shot win (only 3 rinks) over 2nd place Moorabbin on the weekend. We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves but it’s made for exciting interest in a few week’s time if they can do that to the 2nd place side.
Only 1 of the Moorabbin rinks “just” hit double figures which is a testament to the defensive efforts of the 7s. A big welcome to both Joe & Sheila Korda who after only 3 weeks are fitting in perfectly and will play in a final series in their first year at the club.
The 7’s receive the forfeit over Noble Park this week so will take the 16 points and they’ll also see what happens with a 3rd v 4th matchup that could see their buffer of 6pts on the ladder grow.
SIDE 8 def by Beaumaris 5 – 1st
A shock 6 shot overall loss to the 8’s on the weekend but they managed to hold on to top spot on the ladder.
We called it last week that there was more to come in this section and that we couldn’t lock anyone in at this stage and it’s still the case. Only 16pts (1game) separates the top 4 with 5th spot only a game further away as well.
A trip to Moorabbin should see the 8s put more points on the board and the 2nd V 3rd clash should see some more space for the 8s as long as they get the win.
There’s talk everywhere about who will play where, who will make finals and who won’t, what selection is going to look like and we know that this time of year is not only a tough time for selectors but players as well. Let’s get behind each other, show our Berwick culture and stick together over the next 3 weeks and make sure we are all on the same page and are supporting our members. It’s an exciting time.