ONTARIO FOURS FAVOURITES

The starting gates are closed. They are at the post. Laila Hassan, Chrystal Shephard, Doreen Creaney and Helena Ho can hear the footsteps of JoAnne Bugler, Maureen Thompson, Sharon Farrish, Carol Carter and the hot breath of Leanne Chinery, Rita Wright, Julie Fowler and Andrea Stadnyk. It's a dandy.
The Women's Odds to date.
(D10)Laila Hassan 2 to 1
(D4) JoAnne Bugler 2.5 to 1
(D3) Leanne Chinery 3 to 1
(D11) Helen Wright 5 to 1
(D14) Auriel Daniell 5 to 1
(D9) Laura Seed 7 to 1
(D2) Noreen Welsh 7 to 1
(D13) Jean McCron 9 to 1
(D15) Pauline Hill 10 to 1
(D12) Doreen Semple 11 to 1
(D5) Marj Kells 12 to 1
(D102nd) Erin Chambers 12 to 1
(D16) Joelle Massey 12 to 1
(D6) Elaine Houtby 13 to 1
(D1) Jeanine Thornton 14 to 1
(D7) Connie Steinman 14 to 1


Can Steve Mckerihen, David Anderson, John Devonshire and Fred Wallbank make it four straight years as a rep at the Canadians for Ontario ? A resounding yes by the selectors.
Looking for a seconder for the motion to send another team to Halifax.

The Field
(D11) Steve McKerihen Even
(D7) Chris Stadnyk 5 to 1
(D16) Brian McCartney 5 to 1
(D8) Ian Jones 5 to 1
(D6) Dave Houtby 6 to 1
(D3) Wayne Wright 6 to 1
(D10) Larry Wales 8 to 1
(D2) Brian Fowler 10 to 1
(D4) Peter McFalls 10 to 1
(D12) Albert Wu 10 to 1
(D5) Dave Burrows 11 to 1
(D9) Mark McFadyen 11 to 1
(D14) Wayne Wallwork 12 to 1
(D13) Gord Legacy 13 to 1
(D15) Brian Luther 13 to 1
(D1) Tom Roth 14 to 1

Rode to a tournament in Windsor to-day with Tom Roth , the longest odds on the men's side.
He just smiled.
Unknown and/or a lower relegation is a motivator.
I first saw two guys from District 16 in Sarnia in the Provincial Pairs who were unknown.
Gerry Laporte and Dave Jefferies could play then, set out to get better by travelling to competitive venues and now are integral parts of the defending Ontario champions.
Combining with the experienced and skilled back end of Brian McCartney and Ron Wood makes for a team that intends to do it again.
Da'Tara won the Belmont Stakes. The odds were 38 to 1.

What does this all mean?
Nothing.
The draw is key. Long shots will inevitably make their mark and quite likely by the weekend.
The double elimination format allows this tournament to be played without seeding.
My thinking is that if you lose two games, no matter how difficult your draw, you have not performed well enough to qualify for the Canadians.
Paper games are fantasy, the real action punches the Halifax ticket.
As Tom stated, ' there are no mail-in results.'
Enjoy and good bowls.

BobB