IT’S down to the business end of the season in Sunraysia Hearing Clinic Pennant Bowls.
The fate of a couple of teams hangs in the balance with all eyes on the Euston Bandits-Coomealla Cannons clash.
The Bandits need a win to secure a finals campaign. If they falter, Red Cliffs and Ouyen are set to pounce, while Merbein are not out of it yet.
The Bandits have been dragging a rink like a ball and chain all season and after a pretty dismal showing at Red Cliffs last week have made a change with Neville Mitchell stepping up to third for Wayne Gardner.
Jamie Shields welcomes back Titch Halls and Barry Leslie to harden the rink up.
Sandy Tarrant has been outstanding and Gary Holmes has been the best of the imports. The Cannons are not easy-beats but their form is harder to pick than a broken nose. Ian Gibson has made a solid debut at skip and Brian Tyers is learning the ropes and performing well.
Ken Job has been saying Coomealla will shape the four so this week is their opportunity. The Cannons look a solid line-up and on their day can mix it with the best so Euston will have to be on the ball.
The Bandits collapsed last week but should do enough in this game to secure fourth spot and a run in the finals.
Red Cliffs Tigers played their first final last week and face another when they travel to the Hawks nest. The Tigers must bag all the points to stay in the race.
Ian Lowes had a cracker game for the Tigers and Bill Allen’s rink had their best outing for the season. For the first week in a long time the Tigers have not made any changes.
David Gray has his rink back on song and David Maude and Graeme Newey are a solid combination. Good to see Jason Binding back in the ones.
With each side having its season on the line it will be a case of who steps out of the pack and performs under pressure. Will the Hawks overcome the wobbles that has plagued them this season?
Ouyen are another side just a few points shy of fourth and face the Wentworth Steamers who have yielded all 12 points in most of their games. Grabbing an all rinks win would give Ouyen some momentum and the ghost of a chance for finals.
Ouyen are like the stalking horse of the competition at the moment and if they bob up come finals time it will send a shudder through some teams. The return of Harry Munro has provided them with an extra dimension so expect a strong effort.
The Steamers need to be commended for how they are playing and approaching the game. Given they have been getting flogged most weeks they are showing considerable spirit and their second half results an improvement.
Ian Wright and Alistair Baird were impressive last week and Phil Newton has had a solid season at skip.
Ouyen will get the points and a frisson of excitement over an unexpected tilt at the four.
Ladder leaders Mildura Magic travel to the Cauldron and will be anticipating a hot reception from the Suns.
Mildura should have no illusions over their round one loss and will be out to put a hex on the Suns and conjure up a perceived mental edge going into the finals. Some Magic players were spellbound in their early season clash and have already been talking up how to cope with the Suns game – perhaps the mental side of the contest is a foregone conclusion.
Irymple have accomplished their first objective of the season in securing a top-two finish. The reality is the Suns have a free hit at contenders Mildura and Workers in the next two weeks.
These sides will circle each other like a couple of old pro boxers with neither giving much away this close to the finals. The Suns have the results on the board with 11 wins on the trot and were responsible for Mildura’s only loss.
Division Two
Mildura are at home to Workers Green and would expect a win, but the Green Machine had all pistons firing last week against Irymple and pulled off the win. Mildura would like to scoop the pool and a double chance.
Nangiloc are at home to Merbein and after an unexpected loss last week will want all their oars in the water to net some form. Shane Smith, Al Minter and Phil Johnson need to pull their weight.
Workers’ Golden boys have the chance to move to the top of the table if they can defeat Euston. Kevin Altswager and Roger Wattison have been leading the best of the Gold rinks. The Bandits have shown some good signs in recent weeks. Lindsay Lynch has been outstanding with Mick Jaggard and Ray Barwick being very consistent. The Golden boys will have enough talent to get the victory.
Underbool and Red Cliffs will be battling for pride only in this clash. Both sides have had their opportunities this season and inconsistent form has cost them. Underbool’s Howard Crothers and Rob Gloster would like to finish the season on as high note. Red Cliffs 13-year-old Michael Strange will play his second game this week after a very satisfying debut for the Tigers.
Irymple have the bye.
Division Three
Coomealla and Euston will battle it out for honour on the fantastic plastic. There is only a few points between them on the ladder and neither can make the finals. Home turf might be enough to get Coomie over the line.
Wentworth are at home to Ouyen who need the win to secure fourth spot. The Steamers cracked it for win a couple of weeks ago and fancy they can pull the plug on Ouyen’s season by taking the points. With everything at stake Ouyen will prove too tough.
The clash of the round is between Mildura and Irymple’s Swallows with the finals double chance up for grabs. Wally Cook has had a great season for Mildura. The Swallows got belted last week and will need a lift to get the win.
Irymple’s Plovers face off against Workers with the Unionists in dire need of a win to give themselves a chance of knocking off fourth spot from Ouyen. A loss to Workers will effectively end their season but form is with the Plovers. Brian Thomason has been in good touch for Irymple and John Doherty has been leading by example.
This article appeared in Saturday's Sunraysia Daily 4-2-2012.
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