Bridesmaids to Brides?

Today’s preview sees us look at last year’s two runner ups. Are either side capable of going one better? Or will they succumb to those beneath them clambering to get a chance of their own in a grand final? We’ll assess their chances before giving a verdict on how their season might shape up.

Note: Information believed to be correct at time of print but may be subject to change.

Mosman Park

In: Jenny Parker (Northam)

Out: Joanne Lancaster (Beacon)

First 9 Fixtures: Gos (H) Sorr (A) SB (A) Leem (H) NB (A) Mann (H) VP (A) OP (H) Mun (A)

Mosman Park have been one of the power clubs in women’s bowls for some time now but will be disappointed to have only one premiership, 2013/14, to show for it. They’ve been stuck in second for a significant period of time now, just unable to get over the top of Manning in first position. Now doubt the Mossies will be looking to change that and could see this year as an opportunity to take that final step and end the Manning dynasty. They are one in one out with Jenny Parker replacing her fellow state squad member Joanne Lancaster who heads back home to Beacon. They maintain one of the deepest sides in Premier League with strength across all lines. They are headlined by their three skippers in Lisa Featherby, Kerry Andersen and Bev Baker who between them have played 212 games for WA. In fact, half of their side has played state bowls at some point in their career which last season included at least one player in each position, showing the quality of they have in their side.

Mosman are in the interesting position where they play their two main rivals, North Beach and Manning, in consecutive weeks. This does mean they could put a run of really good results together in the seven games in between but they’ll face fellow finals contenders in Osborne Park and Sorrento as well as some tough trips. They’ll need to make sure they get the business done at some of the tougher synthetic clubs such as Safety bay and Mundaring, and not drop any games they would normally win. Given their standing within the competition, if the Mossies beat the sides that they should beat then that would put them somewhere about the mark. Having both the promoted sides at home plus a tough away game against Osborne Park in the last three rounds should be a good preparation for a potential finals campaign.

Classification: Premiership Contender

You get the feeling that if there’s any side that is going to knock Manning off then this is probably it. This is an experienced group that now has lots of finals under their belt and they should be primed for another big run. They can’t keep being the best of the rest forever and a premiership would be a timely reminder to every one of just how good Mosman Park are. They’ve got all the tools but now they need to take that final step. Time will tell whether or not they can.

Osborne Park

In: Phil Potts (Wanneroo), Erron Martin (Bassendean)

Out: Shawn Mawdsley (Unavailable)

First 9 Fixtures: SP (H) Sorr (A) Mann (A) Mor (H) Kard (A) Cam (H) Bass (A) DV (H) Warn (A)

After three losses to start last season everyone was wondering if it the Saints were finally going to fall away. They disproved that emphatically going on a 16 game winning run to finish as the minor premiers and make the grand final. Unfortunately for Osborne Park they lost the grand final after winning the second semi for the second year in a row. There’ll be a burning desire to go one better after coming up agonizingly close twice. Unfortunately the Saints ambitions have been hurt by the loss of young skip Shawn Mawdsley who has left Perth for work reasons. His loss will be felt, not only in the immediate term but also as one of the Saints that could have improved and in turn made them a better side. They have managed to bring in a couple of players to make their front end better to try and offset the loss. Phil Potts is an experienced Premier League leader while Erron Martin has been a consistent top flight player across multiple clubs.

The Saints once again face a tough first couple of weeks with games against key challengers South Perth and Manning in the first three weeks. After that they may fancy their chances of another big run over the next month with an away game at Kardinya their toughest fixture in that stretch. One of the keys to the Osborne Park season will be their away form. It’s a side that hasn’t always been the biggest fan of synthetics and another tricky surface in Warnbro will enter the competition this year. Good Kardinya and South Perth sided could be difficult to toss at home while the Saints have a recent history of close losses at Cambridge as well. If they can win three or four of those then that will hold them in really good stead to have another potential ladder topping season.

Classification: Finals Contender

It may seem harsh not to give Osborne Park the title of premiership contender given their last two season, but something doesn’t feel quite as good about them this year. They’ve lost a good young player and a lot of their stars are another year older and another year closer to decline. However, if they can stave that off and play to the level that their 16 can play to then they’ll be right up in the mix again. Not many sides make it to three grand finals in a row however and we just have a sinking feeling that the Saints may have missed their chance.