The Super8serieS is back after a 4 month absence! The 2013 Super8serieS produced some of the most entertaining Bowls I've seen and I have no doubt it'll be even better this year.
Keep an eye on this page every week and I'll update you will all the stats and predictions. Enjoy watching this world class tournament and hopefully I can make you some money over the next few months!
I was surprised to see Billy Jackson eliminated in Round 1 of the World Championship and International Open recently. He was drawn against two Super8serieS players in both of the mentioned tournaments and was eliminated by Simon Skelton in the World Championship and by Jason Greenslade last week in the International Open. Is this a sign of things to come? It's going to be difficult for the Englishman today and it'll be interesting to see how he performs.
Robert Paxton performed superbly in the World Championship and deservedly reached the semi-final where he was knocked out by the eventual winner, Darren Burnett. The 2010 Shot of the Year winner is currently going well in the International Open as I write this. Paxton is the player on form and his opponents won't be wanting to play him when he's performing this well. It's very difficult seeing anyone beating Paxton today and I wouldn't be surprised if he claims the first event in 2014.
Although, Nicky Brett ended up winning the 2013 Super8serieS, the player of the year for me was Mark Dawes. He produced some amazing shots and was a joy to watch. I don't know how many times I wrote that last year but he is that good. Dawes is a future World Champion and I believe he'll make the overall final four in the Champion of Champions table. Today, I think we shall see him against Paxton in the final.
It's been a disappointing winter for Mark Royal. An early exit in the World Championship and the International Open ended his hopes of taking a title. In the 2013 Super8serieS he won an impressive 54% of his games played and won 3 events along the way. I don't think we can read too much into his recent form and I'm sure his Super8serieS form will return for 2014.
Match Predictions
08:00: Billy Jackson v Robert Paxton - Robert Paxton 09:00: Mark Dawes v Mark Royal - Mark Dawes 10:00: Billy Jackson v Mark Dawes - Mark Dawes 11:00: Robert Paxton v Mark Royal - Robert Paxton 12:00: Mark Royal v Billy Jackson - Mark Royal 13:30: Robert Paxton v Mark Dawes - Robert Paxton
Tue Feb 11 I couldn't work out why John Price could never get going in the 2013 Super8serieS. Out of the 18 players that competed, the former World Champion was ranked at number 16 on my stats sheet only winning 33% of his 46 games played. It's not going to be easy today but I think he'll pick up at least one win.
Danny Brown was the most consistent player in the Super8serieS last year and his stats reflected that. Having won 20 out of 42 games and claiming 2 event wins, Brown ended up in mid table overall. Brown is excellent on the draw and is able to put the pressure on his opponents early. I think will see him advance to today's final but the key game for me today for Brown is the 13:30 match against Jarrad Breen.
If Jarrad Breen can find that consistency, he'll be one to watch in this year's Super8serieS. We saw glimpses of magic when he played last year which saw him claim 3 event wins. He appeared in several finals last year but he just couldn't hold his nerve and claim more event wins. Breen has the ability to cause an upset today.
It was fantastic effort from Mervyn King during the World Championship. The world number 5 played superbly and defeated fellow Super8serieS player Nicky Brett along the way. It would have been great to see the Englishman defeat Darren Burnett in the final but he narrowly lost 2-1 in the tie-break set. If he can carry that sort of form into this year's Super8serieS there will be no stopping him. It's difficult not seeing King going all the way today.
Match Predictions
08:00: John Price v Danny Brown - John Price 09:00: Jarrad Breen v Mervyn King - Mervyn King 10:00: John Price v Jarrad Breen - Jarrad Breen 11:00: Danny Brown v Mervyn King - Danny Brown 12:00: Mervyn King v John Price - Mervyn King 13:30: Danny Brown v Jarrad Breen - Danny Brown