By Eric Markham
Saturday’s pennant saw Monbulk 1, who are in fourth place, take on the ladder leaders Ringwood at home.
Geoff Petersen’s rink was well in the game early and was one shot down after seven ends. They went on to win the majority of ends, but some large multiples against them really hurt on the scoreboard and they went down by 22 to 14.
Eric Markham’s rink were out bowled early in the game and trailed by 10 shots after five ends.
They then won the next three ends to narrow the margin to four shots. However, the Ringwood rink proved steadier in back half of the game to win by 26 to 15. Richard Cookson’s rink won five of the first six ends and led by eight shots after six ends.
They then dropped the next five ends to be only two shots in front. They then produced some good bowling to win the next two ends by four shots each and were able to keep their lead winning by five shots, 21 to 16.
Brian Smith’s rink was well in the contest and led by two shots after 13 ends. They then lost the next seven ends, including some multiples to go down 31 to 15. This meant Ringwood won the overall 95 to 66 and this has left Monbulk clinging on to fourth place with two rounds to go before finals.
Monbulk 2, who were in fourth place on the ladder, headed to Boronia who have been struggling this year to play on their grass green.
Graeme Goller’s rink gave the team a flying start and led by 10 shots after five ends. They then dropped the next three ends to be only two shots in front. By the 14th end there was only one shot the difference, but they won seven of the last eight ends to win 32 to 15.
Eric Furby’s rink was all square after eleven ends and were just two shots down with five ends to play. However, they lost the last five ends to go down 20 to 11.
Norma Clerke’s rink was level after eight ends, but they dropped six shots on the eleventh end to fall behind and eventually lose 27 to 15. Case Broekhof’s rink could not get into the game early and trailed by 17 to 1 after eleven ends.
They made up some shots in the back half of the game, but went down 23 to 9. Monbulk lost the overall 85 to 67 and are just holding on to fourth position.
Monbulk 3, who were on top of the ladder, played Pakenham at home in their final home and away game prior to finals.
Peter Verspeek’s rink struggled early and were seven shots down after five ends. They then gradually reduced the lead to two shots with four ends to play, but dropped five shots on the third last end to eventually lose 15 to 11. Alan Brookes’ rink found the going tough and only won four ends to go down 20 to 5 .Monbulk lost the overall 35 to 16 and have dropped to second place on the ladder which gives them a home final next week.
After the lockdown, Tuesday bowlers were back on the green, with Monbulk 1 playing finals aspirant Mulgrave Country Club away from home.
Last season these two sides met in the semi-final with Monbulk tasting victory, but the tables were turned this time. Jim Bras’ rink struggled early and were 12 shots down after eight ends. They then won six of the next seven ends to get within four shots. They battled hard, but eventually went down 24 to 17. Eric Markham’s rink had a close battle and after the ninth, 14th and 18th ends scores were tied.
The Mulgrave rink proved the steadier in the last three ends winning two and took the game by one shot, 18 to 17.
Richard Cookson’s rink found the going tough and were eight shots down after three ends. They failed to make any inroads into the deficit and dropped a couple of multiples to lose 35 to 12. Monbulk lost the overall 77 to 46.
Monbulk 2, who were third on the ladder, played fellow finals aspirant Croydon at home in a match that would shape the final four.
Eric Furby’s rink started brilliantly and were 11 shots in front after six ends and they increased this to 12 shots after the 10th end.
They then lost 11 shots in four ends to hold the narrowest of leads after 14 ends.
The Monbulk rink increased this to three shots with four ends to play, but dropped all four ends to lose 22 to 18. Alan Hamilton’s rink had a close tussle early with scores tied after seven ends. They then won the next three ends to take a five shot lead. Some tight bowling from the Monbulk rink and a reluctance to give up any multiples saw them win 19 to 13.
Graeme Goller’s rink matched it with their opposition for the first 10 ends where scores were tied. They then only won three of the last 11 ends to go down 22 to 9. Monbulk lost the overall by 57 to 46 and have now dropped out of the top four.
Monbulk 3 played Berwick at home with Graeme Seymour’s rink getting off to an excellent start and led by eight shots after nine ends.
They then lost the next five ends to trail by one shot. With one end to play they needed two shots but could only manage one to go down by that margin, 17 to 16.
Mike Harris’ rink took the lead early, but then dropped six ends in a row to trail by eight shots after nine ends. They then won the next four ends to draw within two shots but lost seven of the last eight ends to lose 24 to 12.
Bruce Cockerill’s rink found themselves 12 shots down after 10 ends. They then won six of the next eight ends to get within two shots, but lost the last three ends to go down 23 to 14.
This meant Monbulk lost the overall by 22 shots, 64 to 42.
