By Eric Markham
On Saturday, Monbulk bowlers contended with difficult conditions that included pouring rain and very humid conditions.
Monbulk 1 played Ringwood at home in a match that had several interruptions, however, Monbulk prevailed and took the points.
Brian Smith’s rink was well on top early in the game but then lost four ends in a row to lose the lead.
They trailed by two shots with one end to play. However, the skip soon took out the closest Ringwood bowl to give the side three shots and a close one-shot victory, 18-17.
Richard Cookson’s rink had a close battle all day and lost on the last end 12-11.
Andrew Bell’s rink was level with three ends to play, but they held their nerve and won 12-10.
Eric Markham’s rink grabbed seven multiples which enabled them to win 28-12.
Monbulk won the overall 69-51 and as a result, held on to third spot on the ladder.
Monbulk 2 had a cliff-hanger against Croydon away from home with only one shot separating teams on three of the four rinks.
Norma Clerke’s rink was 11 shots behind after 15 ends.
They then won the next six ends and won a four on the last end to win 21-20.
Case Broekhof’s rink led early on, but their opposition came back to lead by seven shots with two ends to play.
Monbulk then grabbed a five on the last end to go down 21-20.
Eric Furby’s rink was seven shots down after 14 ends but then won the next four ends to lead by three shots.
They then dropped the final four ends to lose 20-19.
Graeme Goller’s rink had control at the tea break and led by 15 shots.
Despite winning only three more ends they claimed victory 22-17.
Monbulk won the overall by just four shots and are well clear in top spot on the ladder.
Tuesday pennant saw Monbulk 1 travel to Ferntree Gully hoping to hold its place in the top four.
Andrew Bell’s rink had a close tussle until the ninth end when there was only one shot the difference.
The Monbulk team then took control to win 25-16.
Richard Cookson’s rink led throughout the match and eventually won 28-21.
Eric Markham’s rink led early before losing concentration and going down 22-15.
The result still secured an overall Monbulk win by nine shots.
Monbulk 2 travelled to Donvale and found the home team too good on their grass green.
Eric Furby’s rink never got into the contest and lost 23-9.
Graeme Goller’s rink was level after 16 ends but then lost the last five ends to go down 24-12.
Di Bigelow’s rink battled to stay in touch but dropped a couple of multiples to lose 23-16.
Monbulk lost the overall 70-37.
Monbulk 3 played Mulgrave Country Club at home and ran into some very tough opposition.
Mike Harris’ rink went down 24-14, Alan Hamilton’s rink also lost 26-10 and Ray Pike’s rink had their noses in front early on before going down 16-14.
Donvale won the overall 66-38.
