Tunners and Snowgummers continue on Winning Ways

The Tunners have responded to the loss of the first 4 games of the season in the same way they did last year. It is a sense of Déjà Vu that this writer once again passes comment on the never say die nature of this team. Riddled with injuries, they have found a way to continue to win over the past 5 weeks and now find themselves favourite to win their next 2 games. They can no longer be overlooked in Premiership calculations. They were dominant against the Tridents posting the highest score of the round in a all team performance (with the exception of Ray Wilde who is playing through the pain of fractured ribs) and the confidence is growing by the week. The finals seem assured if they can continue in these winning ways.
The Corruptibles continued their ‘Jeckle and Hyde’ Season following a simply magnificent victory over the defending champions The Buglers with a disappointing effort against the All Night Chemists last weekend. These highs and lows will do nothing for the nerves of this team and they will be hoping for another magnificent high this week against the resurgent Ferretts outfit. They need to win though and will be seeking more inspiration from their Freedom Fighter who has returned from combating a revolution to find himself immersed in a Premiership war that may be even harder to win.
The All Night Chemists are a massive improver from last year and are now eyeing a top 4 position for their run through the finals. It is hard to tell where their success is coming from as whilst a balanced side, it is hard to see what they would balance up against. They have been well served across all players with almost all contributing more than once over the past 9 weeks. They will be hoping that their best player from last year can overcome the nagging shoulder injury that has dulled the competitive fire that burned so brightly last year. If he adds his talent to the already impressive talent pool, they will surely help shape the finals series come July.
The Brothers in Arms continue to push themselves into winning positions and sit alone on top and are slight favourites now to take the ultimate prize. It is a true tick for team spirit and what it can achieve as they went into the draft this year with a heavy emphasis on friendship picks. It rarely works as talent is what really counts in the Premiership however in this case their friends seem to be able to play the game. They have been well served by 2 outstanding draft picks in the Premiership Rookie Stapelfeldt and the experience of former ‘Mongrels’ great, Mumford. They have both been magnificent posting scores that count week after week adding greatly to the depth of this side. They still have many tests in front of them however look capable of answering all questions put before them.
The ‘Gummers are approaching their high water mark. Ths article does not need to remind them that last year they sat entrenched in the top 4 5 weeks out looking forward towards a finals campaign seemingly oblivious to the pressure other teams had found themselves under. It was to be a slippery last 5 weeks though as loss piled upon loss and the pressure became too much as all but their captain dissolved away and they missed the finals on percentage. It has been a mill stone around their necks ever since however it has allowed them to secure higher draft picks then would have been needed to again feature in 2009. The close games are now falling there way with draftee’s Burgess, Pedler and Harvie all figuring in the win over the Wanderers side. They are now sitting alone in second spot and mentally resolved to not repeat the slide of last year. They will be heavily favoured against the Trident s this week. It is the type of game that they lost last year, their time has come and we will find out whether the ghosts of season past will continue to haunt them in their sleep.Finally, there is a team that is struggling to gain real traction this year. In their defence, it was always going to be a tough gig entering a competition where the spirit is very willing and no prisoners are taken. Week after week you need to show up with the best game you have or you will be slaughtered mercilessly. Every week you need to insulate yourself from the hostile sledging that meets you right in the face as you drive in the front gate and doesn’t let up until you turn off Farm Road at the top of the hill driving home. Each week you need to steady those nerves that knot your stomach and dry your mouth as you know out on the course eyes of opponents are watching every shot you take, willing it behind trees and into bunkers, clenching their fist with competitive joy as your 4 footer for par slides agonisingly past the hole. Sadly some are starting to whisper that they believe they know what the ‘F’ in F Troop really stands for.....