By Jack Rollings
There was rain. There was sun. There was cold cloud cover. There was warm bright blue sky. Typical Melbourne spring day really.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Boronia 1. Many of their opponents had played against Monbulk in the midweek game this week at Boronia. It was a chance to reverse the outcome on Monbulk’s home turf. And Monbulk was able to do just that.
Karen Rice’s team started slowly, giving away three singles on the first three ends. Then they started winning more of the mat and the luck went Monbulk’s way. When they picked up a 7 shotter on the seventh end, their confidence grew. That was followed by a 5 on the ninth and they went into the break 13 shots up. In the back half, it was fairly even but Monbulk managed to retain the winning margin to the end 25 shots to 12.
Eric Markham’s team trailed for most of the front half. Even though they did pick up a 5, they only won the mat twice. After the break, they won five ends in a row to take the lead. Then Boronia won three ends in a row so that going into the last end Monbulk trailed by a single shot. It was a pressure end, with the other rinks finished and looking on. Monbulk was able to pick up a 3 and win the rink 22 shots to 20.
Jim Bras’ team led strongly all day. They gave away only six ends, with one 3-shot clanger, but they also picked up two 3s and a 4. The back half was even stronger, and they won the rink 28 shots to 9.
Brian Smith’s team had a good lead by the break and when they came out again, they picked up a 4-shotter to lead by 9 shots. After that Boronia came back with determination and Monbulk won only three more ends. The lead was whittled away, and Monbulk just managed to hang onto the win 20 shots to 17.
Overall Monbulk won 95 shots to 58 with four rinks up. They are on top of the ladder with 15 points ahead of second place. Bayswater 1 are sitting third and Monbulk plays them at home next week.
Monbulk 2 played away against Pakenham 3 under their roof.
Don Barnetson’s team picked up a 4 and a 1 on the first two ends and the game looked easy. Then they gave away 16 shots over the next six ends and the game was suddenly very difficult. In the back half, they won equal ends, with both sides picking up two 3s, but Monbulk also dropped a 7-shot clanger and couldn’t recover. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 32.
Alan Hamilton’s team led for most of the day. Whenever they were challenged, they managed to have a good pickup and regain the lead. Along the way they won five 3s and two 4s. Monbulk won the rink 29 shots to 21.
Graeme Goller’s team also managed to keep Pakenham under pressure in a close game. With three ends to go, they were locked at 15 shots all. And that’s when they pulled off the best end for the day, picking up a big 5 shotter. Monbulk won the rink 22 shots to 16.
Peter Lee’s team struggled all day. At halfway they were 8 shots down. Then in the back half, they lost some big numbers and lost the rink 11 shots to 29.
Overall Monbulk lost 80 shots to 98 with two rinks up. They are now fifth on the ladder. Next week they play away to Ferntree Gully 4 who are unbeaten and on top. This matchup will not be easy.
Cockatoo/Monbulk played away against Yarra Junction 1. That is Yarra Junction’s top side, so it contains some of their best bowlers and they certainly took the game up to the Monbulk side.
Anthony Young’s team led all day. Yarra Junction threatened on the thirteenth end and got within a single shot. But after that, the Cockatoo/Monbulk team dropped only one end and grew the lead with some good multiples. They won the rink 29 shots to 12.
Mark Coulter’s team had settled into the new green by the fourth end and was never headed after that. They picked up a couple of 3s and a 4 and won the rink 21 shots to 15.
Graeme Godkin’s team had a tight contest in the front half. Then they played up a storm in the back half and dropped only two ends. The margin grew with some good multiples, and they won the rink 22 shots to 11.
Alan Brooke’s team was the unlucky mob who struck the rink with the Yarra Junction coach. They struggled all day and dropped a stack of clangers. It was a game best forgotten. They lost 4 shots to 48.
Overall, Cockatoo/Monbulk lost 76 shots to 86 with three rinks up. They are sixth on the ladder. Next week they play away against Mooroolbark 7 who is just above on the ladder.
