By Jack Rollings
Round 1 of the Saturday pennant marked the start of the home and away season on Saturday 21 October for the Monbulk Bowling Club.
The weather was threatening with dark clouds, but nothing came of it until after the games had finished. We played in warm temperatures, not much breeze, close to perfect.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Ferntree Gully 1. Both sides have synthetic bowling greens, so the home ground advantage wasn’t so great. The Monbulk side was just promoted to Division 2 at the end of last season, whereas Ferntree Gully were already in Division 2. So, Monbulk were the new arrivals. But during the off-season Monbulk recruited some good players. Robert Espenberger, Richard Sanzin, Tony French and Irma Turner all slotted easily into the top Monbulk side, adding much needed top-level game experience and skills depth.
Jim Bras’ team won thirteen of the twenty-one ends. The scores were close in the first third, six shots all on the seventh end. For the rest of the game Jim’s team was able to pick up some good multiples and they didn’t drop any clangers. In the back half they grew their leading margin and only lost three ends. Monbulk won the rink comfortably 24 shots to 11.
Eric Markham’s team picked up a big four shotter on the first end, but after that, it was a close slog for the rest of the afternoon. The lead changed a few times and the margin was never more than three shots. In the final third, Monbulk won more ends, but one of the losses was a disappointing three shot clanger, giving away the lead and making it difficult to breach the margin. Monbulk lost the rink by the minimal margin 16 shots to 17.
Tony French’s team was up by five shots going into the halfway break, but then dropped a four shot clanger straight after the break. They were able to keep their noses in front until the 16th end when Ferntree Gully levelled at 15 shots all. Then, in the run home, Ferntree Gully managed to grab a few ends, with a couple of multiple scores, leaving Monbulk stranded. Monbulk lost the rink 16 shots to 24.
Brian Smith’s team had a close first third. Then they ran away with the middle third, creating a 13 shot lead. Then the final third was a seesaw affair with Ferntree Gully taking more ends but never able to get back the lead from such a deficit. Monbulk won the rink 27 shots to 18.
Overall, Monbulk 1 defeated Ferntree Gully 83 shots to 70 with two rinks up. It’s only round 1, early days, but Monbulk is currently on top of the ladder.
Monbulk 2 played away against Boronia 3.
Klaus Eisele’s team came up against a strong team and struggled all day. They won seven ends to fourteen, but they also dropped some damaging clangers, including a five on the final end, just to rub salt into the wound. Monbulk lost the rink 10 shots to 30.
Graeme Goller’s rink was the excitement centre. Monbulk trailed in the first third, then took the lead on the eighth end. In the middle third they won every end and grew the margin out to a nine shot lead. Then, in the race home, Boronia won a few ends and got within a single shot. Monbulk steadied, picked up a 3 shotter and hung on to win the rink 21 shots to 17.
Peter Lee’s team had a close match for the first two thirds. Then, with the finish in sight, and trailing by two shots, they won the final four ends, with a brilliant three and an even better four shotter. Monbulk won the rink 21 shots to 14.
Case Broekhof’s team was left behind in the first third and could never get back on terms. They won seven ends to Boronia’s fourteen. Even though they picked up a good four shotter on the seventeenth end, they also dropped four threes and a four. Monbulk lost the rink 10 shots to 28.
Monbulk 2 won two rinks but lost overall 62 shots to 89. They are fifth on the ladder after the first round. The next match will be at home so they will be looking to take the advantage and get the points on the board.
Monbulk 3 played away against Chirnside Park Country Club 3.
Graeme Seymour’s team won nine ends compared to Chirnside’s twelve. But they managed to stay in touch, helped by a massive four shotter on the 13th end. With two ends to go, they were just a single shot down. Unfortunately Chirnside grabbed the last two ends and Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 18.
Graeme Godkin’s team picked up a five shotter on the second end but couldn’t maintain that class. Chirnside were leading by 10 shots by the twelfth end. Monbulk then fought back strongly to get within three shots with two ends to go. But they dropped the final ends and lost the rink 16 shots to 21.
Chris Sullivan’s rink was fairly even in the first third. Then Monbulk strung a few ends together to lead by nine shots. Then Chirnside won seven ends in a row to lead by five, with just three ends to go. Monbulk then won a five to equal and then finished strongly with a single, then a great six shotter to win the rink 27 shots to 20.
Overall Monbulk 3 lost the close round 57 shots to 59 with one rink up. They are fourth on the ladder after the first round. Next week they will play against Mooroolbark 7 at Monbulk. Mooroolbark are on top of the ladder, but Monbulk’s home ground should give an advantage to the home side.
