Saturday Pennant started the season this weekend. It was raining most of Saturday
morning, but then the skies cleared, and we did not have a drop more for the whole
afternoon. The conditions were pretty good and the Monbulk bowlers were keen to get on
with it.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Warburton. Historically Monbulk has had some close
encounters with Warburton and, for most of Saturday, the matchup followed the same script,
with about 3 shots difference on the composite board for most of the day. Then, towards the
end of the day, Monbulk grabbed some good scores and drew away to finish with an overall
83 shots to 68, with two rinks up. Monbulk is in third position on the ladder and headed for a
great season.
Jim Bras’ team won the first four ends. Warburton won the next four ends. And that was the
pattern for the day on Jim’s rink. After the tea break Monbulk picked up a 5 shotter to create
some distance, but then dropped the next four ends to level at 15 all on the sixteenth end.
The race home was dominated by Monbulk, and they finished with a comfortable margin 23
shots to 16.
Brian Smith’s team had the close one. The game see-sawed all day with a close number of
winning ends, lead changes and a few clangers on both sides. Monbulk was up by 2 shots
with just three ends to go, but then unfortunately dropped a 4 shotter and Warburton was
able to hang onto the lead until the finish. Monbulk 17, Warburton 19.
Eric Markham’s team won the first six ends and was up by 10 shots before Warburton
reached the scoreboard. Monbulk picked up some good multiples, had some luck along the
way, and kept the pressure on right to the finish. They dropped only six ends for the day, with
a 2 being the worst. It was a strong performance, 31 shots to 7, and it really put some fire
into the big board.
Karen Rice’s team struggled for two thirds of the game, stuck on 5 shots for ten ends. Then
they came home strongly and were able to reduce the margin, which made a crucial
contribution to the big board at the end of the day, even though the rink was lost 12 shots to
26.
Monbulk 2 played at Pakenham, under the dome, with a synthetic surface that should have
suited our players, but instead on three rinks Monbulk suffered a thumping.
Mike Harris’ team had a good close battle in the first half, picking up a couple of 3s and
keeping within range of the lead. But Pakenham came out stronger after the break and only
allowed Monbulk to win three more ends for the day. Monbulk kept most of the ends to small
losses, but the losses added up. Final scores were Monbulk 12, Pakenham 27.
Peter Lee’s team won nine ends, which should have produced a tight match. But some of
the Monbulk losses were punishing clangers, three 3s, a 4, and a 6. Monbulk finished with
11 shots to 30.
Andy Smith’s team won ten ends, and likewise, this should have resulted in close scores.
But again, it was our clangers that made the difference. Two 3s, a 4 and a 5 – that’s a lot to
make up. Monbulk lost the rink 12 shots to 28.
Peter Koomen’s team were the standout performers. In a game that was mostly close, with
scores level six times, they nailed the finish with a 3 and finally a 5, to win the rink 22 shots
to 15.
Overall Monbulk lost 57 shots to 100. But they did gain 2 crucial away points for a rink win.
Next Saturday Monbulk 2 will host Berwick. These home games are a must-win.
