By Jack Rollings
The third round of bowls Saturday pennant saw cloudy skies, slight gusty winds and, for the first time this season, jumpers-off temperatures. The ladders are taking shape and some teams can already see a lot of work ahead if they are to play finals this season.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Mooroolbark 1. The two top sides, both undefeated so far, were looking forward to a high-level matchup. And, for most of the afternoon, that’s how the composite scoreboard recorded it – close, change of lead, repeat close, change of lead. Then, towards the end of the day Mooroolbark picked up some multiples on a couple of rinks and drew away.
Jim Bras’ team started strongly and was up by five shots after the fifth end. Then they dropped a bad six shot clanger to give Mooroolbark the lead. They were able to reclaim the lead on the next end and build a three shot margin. Then Mooroolbark grabbed a three shotter on the 12th end to level the scores. After that, Monbulk dominated and went on to win thirteen of the 21 ends. Monbulk won the rink 24 shots to 16.
Brian Smith’s team trailed early in the match, then put on eight shots in four ends, to take the lead by three shots. The very next end Mooroolbark won a three and then another three. In the race home, it was Moorooolbark who controlled the game, taking several big multiples and putting a lot of pressure on the composite score. Monbulk lost the rink 13 shots to 30.
Eric Markham’s team won 11 ends to 10 and was looking set to have a close match. But around the middle of the afternoon they dropped two three shot clangers. They were 10 shots down going into the back half, and even though they dropped only two minor scores from then on, their wins were also small, and they couldn’t quite bridge the gap. Monbulk lost the rink 16 shots to 17.
Tony French’s team had a close match for most of the day. Scores were level a few times, and with just five ends to play, they were 16 shots all. Then Mooroolbark bagged a few ends in a row, including a four shotter, and, with the finish line in sight, they clung to their lead. Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 25.
Overall Monbulk 70 lost to Mooroolbark 88, with one Monbulk winning rink. It was a blow for Monbulk to lose on their home ground, but it was a loss to a very strong side and hopefully it will give the Monbulk side more determination to put in the practice hours to produce that next level of bowling. Monbulk has now dropped from first place down to fourth place on the ladder. Next week Monbulk plays Boronia 1 at Monbulk. Boronia are sitting just below on the ladder, with the same win/loss ratio, so it should be an exciting matchup and a crucial one for Monbulk’s finals chances.
Monbulk 2 played at Cockatoo against some of the same bowlers they were combined with last season. This season they are rivals. Going into today, Cockatoo were on top of the ladder, while Monbulk was seventh. The Cockatoo bowling green is a well-maintained synthetic surface that most of the Monbulk players are familiar with, so no surprises there.
Barry Adshead was persuaded to come back to play pennant and skip this weekend and it certainly paid off. After the first few ends, where the scores see-sawed, Barry’s team took control at the halfway mark, winning 14 shots over four ends. They dropped only three ends in the back half, all for minor scores, and finished with an emphatic five shotter on the last end. Monbulk won the rink 35 shots to 12.
Graeme Goller’s team followed a similar path. A close front half, with scores level after the ninth end. Then, in the back half, Monbulk only gave the mat away on three occasions, for minor scores. They also picked up a five and a massive six shotter. Monbulk won the rink 27 shots to 14.
Peter Lee’s team won nine ends and mostly had a close tussle. If it hadn’t been for two disastrous ends early in the afternoon, where they dropped a four then a six, they would have been in the hunt. They picked up a strong three shotter on the second last end but couldn’t get close to making up the deficit. Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 26.
Marg O’Brien’s team started slowly and was down one to 14 going into the ninth end. Then they put in some strong ends to almost draw level by the 16th end. In the race home it was Cockatoo who managed to keep the mat and even take a four shotter, to end Monbulk’s journey. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 22.
Overall Monbulk won the round 91 shots to 74, with two winning rinks. Monbulk is still seventh on the ladder, but they have knocked off the top side and that win will certainly give them energy for the next few matches. Next week they play bottom of the ladder, Heatherdale. It is an away game and the Heatherdale grass will be a lot slower than what the Monbulk bowlers usually play on. But the Monbulk bowlers will be looking to build on this week’s fabulous win.
Monbulk 3 played away against Healesville 2. On paper it promised to be a good close competition, with both sides having strong wins in the previous round. But, on the day it was Healesville who were able to defend their home ground.
Graeme Godkin’s team had a close front half but gave away three clangers in the middle of the game to trail by eight shots after the sixteenth end. Then, with a string of five wins to the finish, they were able to draw level and finish the day at 19 shots all.
Allan Brooke’s team struggled against a strong Healesville team. Monbulk won only six ends, but they did manage to keep the losses contained to minor scores, until the last end when Healesville stamped their authority with a four shotter. Monbulk lost the rink seven shots to 26.
Mike Harris’ rink was a game of momentums. Healesville won the first three ends, then Monbulk won seven ends in a row, to lead by seven shots. Then, in the run home, Healesville won six ends in a row to retake the lead and push on to the finish. Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 20.
Overall Monbulk lost the round 40 shots to 65, gaining one ladder point for the drawn rink. They have dropped to fourth on the ladder. Next week will be a challenging test when they travel over to Mitcham to play the top side. This would be a very good game to win.
