By Eric Markham
Monbulk 2 played Mulgrave Country Club in the Grand Final at Ringwood and were hoping to maintain their undefeated record for the season.
This match proved a very close contest and a real nail biter for all concerned.
Graeme Goller’s rink were slow starters and trailed by five shots after six ends.
They then won the next five ends to lead by six shots.
The opposition then lifted their performance and the game went down to the wire with the Monbulk rink winning 20 to 19.
Eric Furby’s rink led by three after eight ends, but then lost five of the next six ends to trail by eight shots.
The Monbulk rink won the next five ends to draw within two shots, but lost the last two ends to lose 18 to 14.
Norma Clerke’s rink started well and after 12 ends led by seven shots.
The momentum then see -sawed with the Monbulk rink just keeping their head in front to win 19 to 17.
Case Broekhof’s rink started poorly dropping a six on the first end and trailing by seven shots after four ends.
They then knuckled down and after 15 ends led by two shots.
The game remained close and with this rink playing last and having one end to play the scores were locked together on the overall board.
Initially Terry Wright from Monbulk held shot but then this was taken away by the Mulgrave third.
Monbulk’s skip Case Broekhof had the last bowl and he needed to draw the shot to give Monbulk victory.
There was a hush as Broekhof sent down his last bowl and the crowd then erupted with excitement as the bowl took shot and gave Monbulk victory 71 to 70, with Broekhof’s rink winning 18 to 16.
This meant that Monbulk’s undefeated season remained intact and they had won the flag in what was a mighty performance throughout the year.
Monbulk 3 also made the Grand Final and played against Chirnside Park at Doncaster.
Alan Brooke’s rink started well and led by seven shots after seven ends.
They maintained this advantage until the fourteenth end, but then only won two of the last eight ends to lose 18 to 17.
Peter Hiscox’s rink had a close battle and after 17 ends were just one shot behind.
However, they lost three of the last four ends, losing 19 to 14.
This meant Monbulk had lost the overall 37 to 31 and had finished runners up in a year all the players can be pleased with.
