but after last week’s games, it appears it may not be such a foregone conclusion.

Both teams had to call on all their big game experience to pick up the competition points against opposition they were expected to beat, Lawson Park in the end over a four man Mudgee Golf Club line up 57-44, and Crystal Clear Rams a whisker clear of Country Physio 46-43.

Lawson Park may have been guilty of taking for granted that the Mudgee Golf Club (MGC) defence, with only four players to cover an area where five would be hard pressed to keep any attack at bay, would succumb easily to their generally slick offensive plays.

Early indications, however, proved that it would be anything but a cake walk for Lawson Park, with MGC’s Julian Geddes and Adam Keightley, a large and very sharp thorn in their side, combining to match their opponents ten points for the first quarter, eight of which came from the hot hand of Jordan Woolmer.

The frustration continued for Lawson Park into the second period, MGC refusing to give an inch, Jason Hackett and Jackson Thomas hitting a triple each in reply to a three pointer from Woolmer and two unstoppable baskets from Chris Spinner, MGC sitting down to recover at the long break leading 22-21.

Rarely behind in any of their matches, in the third quarter, Lawson Park set about demolishing the MGC defence.

Firstly using their fast break to wear down the opposition, and then more importantly when the opportunity  arose, swishing every shot.

There was almost instant success with their up tempo tactics, and Mudgee Golf Club unable contain the surge or find the points to stay in touch on the score board, were blown away 21-10, facing an uphill battle in the final quarter to inflict an upset win over their opponents that certainly looked possible half way through the match.

Down by ten points, MGC gathered their resources for a final tilt at the favourites, but Lawson Park now in control, kept a firm grip on the outcome by outscoring a valiant Mudgee Golf Club 15-12 to remain undefeated in the competition.

Jordan Woolmer was in fine all round form on the eve of his trip overseas with the Australian Deaflympics team 23 points for Lawson Park, Chris Spinner 17, Padraigh Hickey 7, Kieron Wychi 6.

Julian Geddes had his best game for Mudgee Golf Club with 16 points, Adam Keightley 14, Jason Hackett 7, Jackson Thomas 6. 

Crystal Clear Rams were given a torrid time by Country Physio from the opening tip off, and only at full time did they looked certain of victory.

Ahead 16-13 at quarter time, the Rams could not shake off Country Physio who hit back every time Crystal Clear threatened to put a winning gap on a extremely persistent opposition.

Fully aware the Rams were capable scoring rapidly if they eased the pressure, Country Physio pulled back a point in the second quarter, Liam Young and Jim Disher combining to nullify the ten points from Ben Edmunds and basket by John Close as Crystal Clear went to half time leading 28-23.

As the third quarter unfolded, Graeme Brown and Steve Consadine, after a couple of early baskets, found the target again, and along with Edmunds produced a 14 point run as Country Physio stumbled slightly, despite Disher’s nine point contribution.

At this stage, with only a quarter remaining, it appeared the Rams were on a roll and had the answers to any questions asked by their opponents.

But Country Physio were not done yet, and immediately struck back early in the final period, Hayden Smith and Liam Young with back to back baskets, Crystal Clear now fighting a rear-guard action despite still leading by four points.

Edmunds eased their discomfort with another bucket, but goals from Disher and Andrew Channon, forced Edmunds into retaliation to keep Crystal Clear Rams in a hopefully winning position, and to their relief, only a free shot from Sam Watson came Country Physio’s way in the final minute, Crystal Clear Rams escaping with a three point win.

Ben Edmunds 22 points for Crystal Clear Rams, Graeme Brown 13, John Close 6.

For Country Physio, Jim Disher 24 points, Fifteen year old Liam Young 8, Hayden Smith and Andrew Channon 4 each.

 The other game at St Matthews was won by Mayso’s Golf Shop over Hairy Globetrotters 41-36.

In a tight first half, Mayso’s headed Globetrotters 18-17, but found top gear in the third quarter to set up the win outscoring their opponents 19-8.

Mayso’s Golf Shop eased up in the final quarter and Hairy Globetrotters taking advantage of this lapse, headed them 11-4, but Mayso’s had already put in the hard yards taking the match by five points.

Dean Saxby led the scoring for Mayso’s Golf Shop with 14 points, teenagers Christian Dayrit 10, Ethan Millsom 6.

Cameron Anderson 11 points top scored for Hairy Globetrotters, Alex Barnes, ahead of his trip to the U.S. with the Australian Special Olympics team, 8 points, Josh Baker 7.

The competition is now in recess during the school holidays.