On Saturday Monbulk 1 played top team Dandenong Club at home in the final home and away game, hoping to improve their seventh ladder position.
Monbulk controlled the game early, but the contest tightened up late in the game. Brian Smith’s rink had control of their match after 9 ends and led by 14 shots.
They then lost 9 of the next 11 ends to be just 3 shots ahead going into the last end, but were able to win the final end and claim victory by 5 shots, 19 to 14.
Jenny Holmes’ rink were well in the game after 8 ends with the scores locked together. Their opponents then took control winning 9 of the next 10 ends to lead by 16 shots. The Monbulk rink made up some ground late, but still went down by 14 shots, 11 to 25.
Eric Markham’s rink were on the scoreboard early and led by 8 shots after 5 ends. They then lost 6 of the next 7 ends and scores were tied. The Monbulk rink were able to win the mat and won 6 of the last 9 ends to win by 9 shots, 26 to 17.
Jim Bras’ rink had a close contest when for the first seven ends there were all single shots with the home rink having their nose in front by one. Their opponents gained control and at the completion of the fourteenth end led by 7 shots. The Monbulk rink lifted and with two ends to play trailed by 2 shots, but more importantly, on the main board Monbulk were only 3 shots behind. However, the Dandenong Club won the last two ends to win the rink by 5 shots, 14 to 19.
This meant Monbulk lost the overall by 5 shots, 70 to 75.
Monbulk 2 who were in third position on the ladder travelled to Willow Lodge who were in fifth position.
Jim Anderson’s rink led their game early and were 4 shots in front after 6 ends. They were able to improve on this lead and with 5 ends to play led by 5 shots. However, they lost the last 5 ends to lose by 2 shots, 16 to 18.
When Alan Hamilton’s rink picked up 6 shots in 3 ends they led by 1 shot after the twelfth end. They then dropped eleven shots in the next 4 ends and eventually lost by 8 shots, 15 to 23.
Graeme Goller’s rink led by 4 shots after 7 ends, but then lost 8 shots in three ends to fall behind by 4 shots. They then won the next 6 ends to open up a lead of 9 shots, but lost the next 4 ends to be one shot in front with one end to play. The Monbulk rink had a disastrous last end dropping 5 shots to lose by 4 shots, 19 to 23.
Eric Furby’s rink was well on top early and led by 11 shots after 7 ends. They then lost 5 of the next 6 ends, but still led by 4 shots. Over the final ends, they were able to stay in front and won by 5 shots, 22 to 17.
Monbulk 2 lost the overall by 9 shots, 72 to 81 and will contest finals next week from fourth position.
