By Eric Markham
Saturday’s round seven was the half way mark of the season with Monbulk 1, who were in third place, taking on Bayswater who were fifth, at the Hawks home green.
Monbulk started well across all rinks, but a late surge by Bayswater made this a close affair.
Geoff Petersen’s rink held sway for most of the game and after eleven ends led by six shots.
They maintained this lead up until the 18 th end when the opposition won three ends in a row to peg the margin to just two shots.
The Monbulk rink held their nerve with a perfect upshot from Phil Cookson and some good draw bowling from the skip and Matt Borkowski to grab three shots and finally win, 19 to 14.
Eric Markham’s rink led by seven shots after six ends, but then allowed their opponents back into the game losing four of the next five. They were one shot in front at the break.
The Monbulk rink then lifted their game and won three straight ends to take an eight shot lead. They then lost 11 shots in the next four ends to trail by three shots with three ends to play.
They won the next two ends by one shot, but dropped three shots on the last end to go down 23 to 19.
Brian Smith’s rink led by three shots after nine ends, but then dropped a seven shot multiple, losing the lead and t going down 26 to 19.
Richard Cookson’s rink had a tight tussle early and at the break scores were level.
They then only lost one more end for the game and had a convincing victory, 23 to 11.
Monbulk won the overall by six shots, 80 to 74.
Monbulk 2, who were third on the ladder, ventured down the highway to play the top side Warburton.
Eric Furby’s rink battled hard and scores were level with four ends to play. However, they lost three of the last four ends to lose 18 to 14.
Case Broekhoff’s rink had control of the game leading by nine shots after 12 ends.
They then lost the next four ends including a number of multiples to be two shots in arrears after sixteen ends.
They levelled the scores in the second last end and were holding game when the Monbulk skip drew shot only to be denied by the last bowl by the Warburton skip to go down by 19 to 18.
Graeme Goller’s rink were never able to get any momentum winning only six ends to go down 26 to 7.
Norma Clerke’s rink found the going tough on the slower green and went down 30 to 15. The overall score was a loss 93 to 54.
Mid-week pennant saw Monbulk 1 play Ringwood at home.
Eric Markham’s rink trailed early and were six shots down after nine ends. They then won eight of the next nine ends to lead by six shots with three ends to play.
However, they dropped the last three ends to finish in a tie, 18 shots all.
Ivan Baric’s rink bowled well early and led by six shots after four ends. They then lost six ends in a row, including a five, to be six shots down after 10 ends.
They rallied to be only one shot behind after 16 ends. They then lost the last five ends to lose 26 to 15.
Richard Cookson’s rink were outbowled early and were 20 shots behind after 12 ends.
They then won the second half convincingly, but the damage had been done losing by 11 shots, 27 to 16.
Monbulk lost the overall 71 to 49.
Monbulk 2 travelled to Mooroolbark and played on their grass green.
Graeme Goller’s rink had a very low scoring game with 18 of the 21 ends being decided by a single shot. Monbulk won eight ends to 13 and went down 18 to 14.
Eric Furby’s rink won 10 of the 21 ends and were very competitive except for the two five’s they dropped.
This proved to be the final margin of 10 shots, 23 to 13.
Alan Hamilton’s rink was behind early, but then took total control of the game winning 13 ends and powering away to win 29 to 14.
This meant that Monbulk won the overall, 53 to 51.
Monbulk 3 played Churchill/Waverley away from home in what proved to be a difficult task.
Graeme Seymour’s rink won seven ends and dropped four multiples to lose by 21 shots.
Bruce Cockerill’s rink were in touch early but were overwhelmed losing 32 to 11.
Mike Harris’ rink was only three shots down after six ends, but won only two more ends to lose 24 to 6.
Monbulk 3 lost the overall 88 to 28.
