By Eric Markham
On Saturday Monbulk 1 travelled to Mooroolbark and played on their grass green. Brian Smith’s rink started well and led by six shots after two ends. The game then evened up with the Monbulk rink maintaining most of its lead to be five shots in front after seven ends. They then lost eight of the next 10 ends to fall behind by six shots. They were unable to make any headway into the deficit and eventually lost 22 to 15.
Eric Markham’s rink started well and led by six shots after five ends. They then dropped 13 shots in four ends including a seven to fall behind by that margin.
They tried to make up the ground and moved within two shots with two ends to play, but lost those ends to go down by six shots, 22 to 16.
Richard Cookson’s rink started slowly and were four shots down after three ends. They then levelled the scores on the ninth end and then took control of the game winning 21 to 10.
Geoff Petersen’s rink had a close battle early and led by one shot after six ends. They then lost the next six ends to be 12 shots behind.
They rallied and won the next five ends, but dropped a five on the 18th end and eventually lost to 23 14. Monbulk lost the overall 77 to 66.
Monbulk 2 played Mooroolbark at home needing to win to entrench their spot in fourth place.
Graeme Goller’s rink dominated proceedings winning 14 ends and claiming seven multiples to win 33 to 10.
Case Broekoff’s rink gained control early and led by nine shots after eight ends. They then lost the next six ends including five shots on the fourteenth end to trail by three shots. They found themselves four shots down with just four ends to play, but stormed home winning all four ends to win 27 to 20.
Eric Furby’s rink had a topsy turvy game where they won the majority of ends, but dropped a couple of large multiples to go down 23 to 17.
Norma Clerke’s rink came out firing and were 10 shots in front after five ends. They increased this to 15 shots by the eighteenth end, but lost the last three ends to win 27 to 18.
Monbulk 2 won the overall by 33 shots, 104 to 71.
Tuesday’s pennant saw Monbulk 1 head down the mountain to take on finals aspirant Ferntree Gully.
Richard Cookson’s rink kept things tight and after seven ends scores were level.
Little separated both teams over the next seven ends and when the Monbulk rink picked up a three on the fifteenth end they hit the front.
However, dropping five shots on the penultimate end finished their chances of victory and they eventually went down 19 to 16.
Eric Markham’s rink cost themselves the game when they dropped eight shots in three ends early in the game to go down 22 to 15.
Jim Bras’ rink trailed early, but when they picked up seven shots on the ninth and tenth ends they were in front.
However, the opposition immediately came back winning the next three ends to take an eight shot lead.
The Monbulk rink tried hard to bridge the gap but went down 27 to 17.
Monbulk lost the overall 68 to 48.
Monbulk 2, who were fourth on the ladder, played Vermont South at home in a game they were expected to win.
Graeme Goller’s rink started slowly and dropped five shots on the first end. They then got themselves going and by the 10th end scores were level.
The Monbulk rink gradually got on top and led by seven shots with three ends to play. However, they lost six shots on the 19th end and had to fight hard to record a win 25 to 20.
Alan Hamilton’s rink had a close contest with scores level on the sixth, eighth and 19th ends. They were one shot up going into the last end, but dropped two shots to lose 19 to 18.
Eric Furby’s rink dominated from the start and led by 18 shots after 11 ends. They dropped a few shots in the back end but were able to record a convincing win, 31 to 12.
This gave Monbulk the overall by 23 shots, 74 to 53.
Monbulk 3 played Mulgrave CC at home and were hoping for their first win of the season.
Mike Harris’ rink trailed their opposition in the first half of the game and were seven shots down after 10 ends.
They the lifted their game and won nine of the last 11 ends to run out winners by nine shots, 24 to 15.
Graeme Seymour’s rink held their own in the ends count winning 10 but dropped four multiples which include two, fives to lose by 11 shots, 26 to 15.
Bruce Cockerill’s rink struggled early and found themselves nine shots down after seven ends.
They tried hard to reduce the deficit, but fell short 25 to 10.
Monbulk 3 lost the overall by 17 shots, 66 to 49 and are still searching for that elusive win.
