Fight for the Top 5 Heats Up | Platinum Wrap
Just two points separate fifth from seventh in the Platinum Pennant ladder and it looks increasingly likely that the final spot in the Top 5 will come down to the results in the final regular season rounds.
Mount Lewis sit outside the Top 5 on margin alone after two agonising 8pts – 2pts losses against Warilla (55 – 57) and Engadine (52 – 59), although the 4 points earned over the weekend will go a long way in helping the Lions stay in touch of the finals.
Sitting above them are the Merrylands Magic, who outclassed East Maitland 70 – 42 (9pts – 1pt) before being beaten by Raymond Terrace 66 – 46 (9pts – 1pt) at the Hangar. The lone point earned by the Magic in that match was a comfortable 27 – 11 win for Heath Lewis, Peter Harry, Nathan Rice and Aron Sherriff overcoming the previously unbeaten rink of Ian Lean, Lachlan Freeman, Shannon Gittoes and Peter Taylor.
Only two points behind Merrylands and Mt Lewis are the Engadine Cougars who rebounded from a 70 – 60 loss (8.5pts – 1.5pts) against Belrose in tough conditions to beat Mt Lewis 59 – 52 (8pts – 2pts), with the rink of Lachlan Thompson, Greg Helm, Anne Johns and Mason Lewis doing the damage with a 29 – 7 win over Nathan Wises’ rink. The Cougars face East Maitland and Carlingford in their next two rounds and will be hopeful they can continue their winning ways as they look to break into the Top 5.
At the top of the table on 58.5pts are Raymond Terrace and Cabramatta who both enjoyed back-to-back wins in Rounds 6 and 7. The Jets accounted for Wenty Leagues 75 – 42 (10pts – 0pts) and Merrylands 66 – 46 (9pts – 1pt) while the Bullants produced one of the biggest wins of the season to date, cruising past Carlingford 88 – 41 (10pts – 0pts). The Bullants then overcame a slow start against fierce rivals St Johns Park to take home all 10 points in a 66 – 53 win. For all the statisticians out there, you’ll be interested to know that Cabramatta outscored the Saints 25 – 2 across the final 5 ends of each rink on their way to a hard earned victory.
The Saints remain in fourth spot on 47.5 points, just 1.5 points behind the Warilla Gorillas who also came out of the weekend with two wins and continue their march towards the finals.
East Maitland and Taren Point each claimed one win from their two matches over the weekend and occupy 8th and 9th spots respectively. While not impossible, these sides will know they need a virtually perfect run home in order to be a chance of featuring in the finals weekend.
It was a tough weekend for Carlingford and Wenty Leagues who lost both their matches and now hold a one win and six loss record after seven rounds. Joining them on one win are the Belrose Bulls who enjoyed their first win of the season against the Engadine Cougars in Round 6, that win enough to pull them out of bottom spot on the ladder.
Looking ahead to Round 8 it’s incredible to note that, by ladder position, the match-ups are 1st v 2nd, 3rd v 4th, 5th v 6th, 7th v 8th, 9th v 10th and 11th v 12th! A top of the table clash between Cabramatta v Raymond Terrace at Cabramatta will be an instant classic, as will our live streamed match at 6pm on Friday 26th April between Merrylands and Mount Lewis who are looking to secure their place firmly in the Top 5.
Another huge weekend of Platinum Pennant matches looms, and we can’t wait to see the action!
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