By Jack Rollings
Monbulk 1 played at home against Croydon 2.
Eric Markham’s team won twice as many ends as their opponents and picked up some big multiples along the way. They led by 10 shots at the halfway mark then kept the pressure on in the back half, even picking up 10 shots over the final three ends to win the rink 33 shots to 11.
Brian Smith’s team had a close tussle with a fairly even number of ends won. However, Brian’s team was able to grab the big numbers, like a four and two fives and that certainly moved their scoreline ahead. They won 29 shots to 16.
Jim Bras’ team also had a close number of ends won. But they also dropped a few clangers that evened out the good multiples they collected. It was close. Monbulk trailed by three shots with three ends to go., and then won those final ends to win the rink 22 shots to 19.
Overall Monbulk won 84 shots to 46 with all three rinks up. Monbulk is sitting fourth on the ladder. They will travel to Warburton next week to play the top side in the last home and away round for the season. A finals berth is assured.
Monbulk 2 played away against Mulgrave Country Club 6.
Klaus Eisele’s team led for most of the day and picked up some good multiples. They had only one blot on their copybook when they dropped a five shot clanger around the halfway mark to level the scores. But after that, it was Monbulk who ran away with the game. They won the rink 23 shots to 14.
Alan Hamilton’s team won ten ends and was still within three shots going into the last end. Unfortunately, they dropped a four shot clanger to finish the game. They lost the rink 15 shots to 22.
Peter Lee’s team started strongly and had a 10 shot lead after the seventh end. Heading for home, they dropped a few ends including a couple of clangers, but managed to hang on to claim the win 22 shots to 19.
Overall Monbulk won 60 shots to 55 with two rinks up. Monbulk is third on the ladder. If they can hang onto that spot for one more round, they will earn a home semifinal.
Monbulk 3 played at home against Ferntree Gully 4.
Bruce Cockerill’s team had a close game all day. They were leading by just a single shot going into the last end but dropped a 3 shot clanger to miss out on the win 20 shots to 22.
Ray Pike’s team had one of their strongest performances for the season. They dropped only seven ends, all for minor scores, and they picked up some good multiples. They won the rink 24 shots to nine.
Mike Harris’ team started slowly and didn’t get on the scoreboard until the fifth end. At the halfway mark they were 11 shots down. After the lunch break, they came out firing. They won more ends in the back half, including a couple of multiples and edged closer. With two ends to go they were trailing by just two shots. But FTG regained their determination and took the final two ends. Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 21.
Overall Monbulk won the round 61 shots to 52 with just one rink up. Monbulk is now in fifth spot on the ladder with just one round to go. Next week Monbulk plays away against Eastwood Golf who are sitting in fourth spot. It is mathematically possible for Monbulk to break into the top four but it will rely on them having a good composite win at Eastwood with at least two and a half (a draw) rinks up.
