By Jack Rollings
Round 11 of Metro Pennant Bowls. The weather was warm, clear sky, hardly any breeze, perfect for bowling. Monbulk 1 played at home against Lilydale.
Lilydale brought a large contingent of supporters who didn’t let up with the noise for the whole afternoon. The extra support wasn’t really needed – it didn’t take long for Lilydale, on all rinks, to find their line and length on the Monbulk green.
Jim Bras’ team was on top in the first half but dropped a costly 4 shotter soon after the break. Lilydale grabbed the lead and held on for the rest of the game. Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 21.
Tony French’s team picked up 4 shots over the first two ends then immediately gave up a 4 shotter on the next end. Lilydale won the next five ends. After the break Lilydale won another six ends in a row. Monbulk won some numbers towards the end, but it was too little too late.
Monbulk lost the rink 16 shots to 23. Brian Smith’s team followed a similar pattern in the front half, dropping six ends in a row and trailing by 10 shots at the halfway point. The back half was a closer competition, with Monbulk winning more ends. But Monbulk also dropped a couple of big clangers and was unable to make inroads into the deficit. Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 27.
Eric Markham’s team made a strong start. Then Lilydale won seven ends in a row to take over the lead. Monbulk looked to run home well but then dropped a 3 and a 4 which made the task more difficult. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 21.
Overall Monbulk lost the round 68 shots to 92 with no rinks winning. It was a disappointing afternoon. Monbulk is still sixth on the ladder, but at least two good wins outside the top four. The run home will be against top sides. The challenge now will be to post a couple of wins before the end of the season and at least avoid relegation.
Monbulk 2 played away against Cockatoo. Andy Smith’s team won the first three ends but then dropped the next six ends, to trail by 9 shots. The teams traded blows in the back half, with Monbulk making up some ground but unable to bridge the gap. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 21.
Case Broekhof’s team won twelve ends to nine but dropped a couple of clangers along the way. There was never a huge deficit, but it was just enough to keep Monbulk at bay. Monbulk lost 19 shots to 22.
Peter Lee’s team trailed in the front half but came out strongly after the break, winning six ends in a row, including a couple of good multiples. They were leading by 7 shots with just two ends to go. Cockatoo finished well to give the visitors a scare, but Monbulk just held on to win the rink 22 shots to 21.
Peter Koomen’s team won the first six ends including a whopper 7 shotter. Cockatoo recovered and were the better team in the back half. But Monbulk was able to hold onto their lead until the finish and they won the rink 22 shots to 15.
Overall Monbulk 2 lost the round 78 shots to 79 with two rinks up. They are still sixth on the ladder with just three rounds to go. Next week they play Narre Warren at home. Narre Warren are just above on the ladder so it should be another close match.
