By Jack Rollings
At the end of Saturday, all three Monbulk bowling sides progressed to the next stage of finals.
Monbulk 1, finishing top of the ladder, played at home against Boronia who finished second. Eric Markham’s team won just one more end than their opponents, but the wins included more doubles and a couple of threes. They led all day, and at one stage had a margin of eight shots. But the Boronia team fought back and Monbulk did well to subdue their attack. Monbulk won the rink 18 shots to 13.
Karen Rice’s team had a close front half, with level scores several times and a couple of good multiples. Going into the 14th end Monbulk was leading by a single shot. But in the race home, it was Boronia who dominated, not just winning more ends but also picking up doubles, while Monbulk’s few late wins were just singles. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 23.
Brian Smith’s team was eight shots all after the ninth end, and 12 shots all after the 14th end. In the final third Monbulk was the stronger team, only giving up the mat twice. Monbulk won the rink 20 shots to 16.
Jim Bras’ team didn’t win as many ends as Boronia. It was nine ends to twelve. But the Monbulk wins included some good multiples: a three, four fours and a five. A few times Monbulk held a 10 shot margin, and Boronia was only able to slightly reduce that. Monbulk won the rink 28 shots to 21.
Overall Monbulk won 81 shots to 73. They will progress to the grand final next Saturday. And, Monbulk 1 will be promoted next season to division two.
Monbulk 2 played at home against Ferntree Gully 4.
Klaus Eisele’s team started strongly and was leading seven shots to one going into the eighth end. They won twice as many ends as FTG and were able to hold off a late attack from FTG to win the rink 18 shots to 13.
Alan Hamilton’s team also won twice as many ends as FTG. And the wins included three threes and two fours. Monbulk led all day and made a point of putting in a strong finish, winning six of the last seven ends. Monbulk won the rink 29 shots to 11.
Peter Lee’s team didn’t win as many ends as FTG, and going into the tenth end, the scores were level at six shots all. But Monbulk had a stronger back half and their losses were mainly singles, while their wins included three threes, a four, a six and the ultimate: a legendary eight shotter. Monbulk won the rink 30 shots to 13.
Carole Wight’s team won the first four ends and looked headed for an easy day, but then Boronia fought back and took over the lead around the tenth end. In the race home Monbulk won five ends to FTG’s three. Going into the final end Monbulk was hanging on by just a single shot margin but they managed to pick up a three shotter on the last end to make sure of the rink win 20 shots to 16.
Overall Monbulk 2 defeated Ferntree Gully by 97 shots to 53. That win led to the preliminary final on Sunday against Pakenham 3. Pakenham have been the standout strong side in this division.
Monbulk didn’t ever give up the contest but overall Pakenham won 98 shots to 53 to end Monbulk’s season.
Cockatoo/Monbulk played at Cockatoo against Lilydale 4.
Mark Blythman’s team won nine ends, but their losses included two threes and a five, while they could pick up just the one multiple, a three. Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 24.
Mark Coulter’s team had a similar result. They won a similar number of ends but dropped two threes and a five and picked up just the one three. Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 12 shots to 20.
Anthony Young’s team had a day out. They dropped just six ends for the day, and they picked up some good multiples. They won the rink 30 shots to 10.
Ken Earle’s team was seven shots all after the seventh end. In the race home, the teams were very close, both winning similar ends, but Lilydale hung onto the lead and Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 20.
Overall Cockatoo/Monbulk lost a close one by just two shots, 74 to 76. Sunday afternoon Cockatoo/Monbulk used their second chance by playing off in the preliminary final against Yarra Glen 3. The composite side put on their best display of bowling and came away with a strong win 102 shots to 60. Cockatoo/Monbulk will play in the grand final next Saturday against Lilydale 4.
