By Jack Rollings
Monbulk 1 played away at Boronia. It was on grass, very damp, with very little roll-on from the bowls. One side of the rink was almost as straight as rolling the jack.
Jim Bras’ team trailed in the front half. Then after lunch, they had a couple of good pickups and just edged in front. Then Boronia won four ends in a row to reclaim the lead. But Monbulk nailed the final two ends with a 6 and a 3. It stunned Boronia as well as Jim’s team. Monbulk won the rink 22 shots to 16.
Eric Markham’s team had a day to forget. They couldn’t get hold of the mat, winning just six ends for the day. The Boronia opponents were all over it, making conversions and taking lots of multiples from Monbulk who lost the rink 7 shots to 34.
Brian Smith’s team was out to a 7-shot lead at halfway. Then Boronia won a few mats, and the lead was reduced. Then Monbulk won four ends in a row to take the margin out to 10 shots. Then the final four ends slipped away from Monbulk, dropping 9 shots to just hang onto the win 17 shots to 16.
Overall Monbulk lost 46 shots to 66 with 2 rinks up. Monbulk is now fourth on the ladder and more than a whole round’s margin away from the top spot. Next week they play at home against Healesville who have one win and two losses, the same as Monbulk. A must-win game to stay in touch with the top four.
Monbulk 2 played at home against Pakenham 2.
Graeme Goller’s team was strong all day. They dropped just seven ends with only one clanger and the wins included lots of doubles, a 4 and a 6. Monbulk won the rink 28 shots to 12.
Don Barnetson’s team had a disastrous front half. When it was time for the lunch break they were down 2 shots to 15. In the back half, they fired up and stacked on the shots. With two ends to go, they were just 3 shots down and had the momentum, but unfortunately, that’s when they dropped a 4 shot clanger and couldn’t make it up. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 21.
Peter Koomen’s team had a strong start and by halfway had a 14-shot-to-3 lead. After the break, they continued picking up good scores and only dropping a few singles until the fourteenth end, when they dropped their guard and gave away 4 shots. From there Pakenham won more ends but the Monbulk wins towards the finish had more multiples. Monbulk won the rink 24 shots to 12.
Overall Monbulk won 67 shots to 45 with two rinks up. They are now fourth on the ladder, but only two ladder points behind the top spot. Cranbourne is just above and they are the ones Monbulk face up to next week.
Monbulk 3 played at home against Yarra Glen 2.
Mike Harris’ team had a great front half. By lunch, they were leading by 10 shots, including several good multiples. It looked like continuing in the back half until, in sight of the finish line, they dropped a 2, a 1 and a 6. But they came good again on the last end to collect a double and win the rink 25 shots to 17.
Bruce Cockerill’s team also had a strong start. They were up 12 shots to 6 at the break. They extended the lead after lunch and led by 10 shots with four ends to go. That’s when they dropped a 4 and a 2 to give Yarra Glen a bit of hope. But they were able to steady on the last two ends and take the win 23 shots to 16.
Alan Hamilton’s team trailed in the front half but was still well in touch. After the break, they came good, hit the front, and ran away with the second half. They won thirteen ends. Yes, they did drop one 3-shot clanger but also picked up a 3, a 4 and a 5. Monbulk won the rink 25 shots to 12.
Overall Monbulk won 73 shots to 45 with all three rinks up. Monbulk is now third on the ladder, just 4 ladder points below the top spot.
