Triple WWW snatch Draw with Ferrets in 2nd Round Shock

Last year, Triple WWW waited 8 weeks to taste their first win. After starting 2009 with another flogging, it looked like even the strength of their early draft picks would not change this sad and sorrowful story. They faced the mighty Ferrets in the second round. When Ferrets Captain Billy Adams strode confidently through the Pro Shop door declaring a certain victory with big Al Lehner punching the air with his clenched fist in support, there was no one nearby who argued with them. All members of the Triple WWW team were long gone, morning players devoid of hope, resigned to yet another Saturday night of discontent, the solitude of the no expectations, they no longer rang to check the result. However, on the 18th green with the sun starting to set, their last round pick Phil McKenzie, overlooked again and again on draft day, faced a downhill 5 footer. That 5 foot would come to symbolise the change that has spread over this entire Premiership Season. 5 foot that would be the difference between another defeat for a team already mentally beaten, scarred from the memories of constant loss last year, or a draw against the regular season bullies, the mighty Ferrets. Phil McKenzie knew nothing of last season’s failures. He, like many others had stood back and watched the initial season with bemusement, trying to find reason in the highs and lows of emotion from the members of those different teams who week to week battled each other over the fairways of Latrobe. 5 foot, downhill, his team needed him. That perfect stroke would put him right to the heart of this competition. He saved his team from defeat, he shook the confidence of the imposing opposition and lifted the spirits of all others, raising their belief that the great teams of last year are back securely in the pack. It truly is anyone’s game.
The Snowgummers have hit the top of the table with vengeance. Their Captain, Shane McCarthy was sensational and had plenty of help as they seem determined to attack each week with an energy fired from the disasters of last June. Defeating In Time Dynasty was never going to be easy as they also have a good dose of fire in their belly. It needed a cracking round to split these 2 proud teams hell bent on finals action and McCarthy delivered and a narrow win was secured.
The Snowgummers now face Cambridge who sit second after crushing last year’s top 4 team The Tunners. Cambridge started fast last year as well, early mornings get tougher as we enter the winter months and they seem keen to make the most of the warmer mornings. It will not be lost on McCarthy and his men that Cambridge finished 8th last year and used that finals experience to surge to a magnificent win in ironically the Cambridge Knockout. The winner of this match will have secured a perfect start to a long difficult season.
In Time Dynasty, a team swelled by International cheer squads, team mascots and home and away uniforms were stung by their defeat. They believe big things await their strong balanced side and the All Night Chemists, buoyed their solid win over 1st round surprise packets the Wanderers, should be wary of a team on the rebound. The Irish supporters don’t like not celebrating and will be unhappy to spend another week on water, without the Guinness and whisky flowing. They are keen for a drink and are demanding a win. If the Dynasty get up I will post the results early so the Irish thirst can be quenched quickly and that Island can begin to function normally again.
The Brothers in Arms are once again going along nicely. Eager to not to create too much attention to themselves, they have posted to excellent scores which see them pushing into familiar territory, the Top 4. They face the might of the Ferrets this week and if they score their 3rd win of the year, they will feel the heat of the spotlight again. Last year they melted under this glare and there are some (not the writer) who believe it will happen again. This is a game they need to win, to gather the respect of others but more so, to build the belief they will need to develop, to go deeper into the finals that they are surely eyeing off again this year.
Finally, the game that will set the benchmark of all matches for the rest of this year was the grand final replay between the Buglers and Wally World. After the shock to both teams of losing their first round, this game meant more than just 4 points. The Buglers could stamp their authority once again on a beaten foe and Wally World could extract some revenge from the devastation of last year’s grand final loss. Both teams though, desperately needed to open up their accounts for 2009. It was to be a true blockbuster game that lived up to all the hype and more. They both cracked the magical 180 point barrier, the mark that would suggest a win is certain. Wally World prevailed under the strength of greater scoring depth with 4 players on 36 points and more. The Buglers, despite the gallant efforts of Tommy Robson’s massive 41 point game and Club Champion Johnston’s 39, fell away to go down 183 to 180. It was a match that if played in a Roman colosseum would have had no thumbs turned down, if played on the concrete freeways of LA, would have stopped the traffic and if played at a full house at the mighty MCG, would have had no fans leave early. It was a classic!