By Jack Rollings
Saturday pennant. No-one could complain about the weather. It was warm with not much breeze.
Monbulk 1 travelled to Mitcham where the traditional grass greens would have to be amongst the best in our region, beautifully maintained, running truly. And Mitcham defended their territory in strong fashion.
Jim Bras’ team didn’t get on the scoreboard until the tenth end, when Mitcham already had 18 shots. After the break, Monbulk managed to score a two to start their journey, but the pain continued, with Mitcham stretching their lead to 23 shots. Then, in the last third of the match, Monbulk grabbed an important five shotter and started playing with a lot more confidence, stringing together several winning ends. But the gap was too great, and the finish line came too early. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 29.
Brian Smith’s team had a game of thirds. The first third was a close battle with a couple of lead changes. In the second third Mitcham drew away by seven shots. But in the final third, it was Monbulk who won more ends to gradually close the gap. Heading into the last end, Monbulk was still four shots down and that’s when they drew the rabbit out of the hat to pick up a glorious four shotter and draw the rink at 20 shots each.
Karen Rice’s team won eight ends for the day. But apart from one double, the rest of the wins were singles, while Mitcham grabbed eight doubles and a three, growing their margin at a constant rate for the afternoon. Monbulk stuck at the job and won some ends nearing the finish line, but the task was all uphill by then. Monbulk lost the rink nine shots to 23. Eric Markham’s team trailed for most of the game and dropped a couple of punishing clangers early on, but they always stayed within reach. Then, in the final third, Monbulk picked up a five and a three to take the lead, winning five of the last seven ends and hanging on for a gritty win 24 shots to 22.
Overall Monbulk lost 68 to Mitcham 94, with only three ladder points gained. That leaves Monbulk in sixth place on the ladder. Next week they play at home against Upwey-Tecoma who have struggled in their two games this season. Will it be a case of Monbulk taking the points to jump up the ladder, or could it be ‘Beware the wounded animal’?
Monbulk 2 played at home against Berwick and suffered defeats on all four rinks. But, on closer examination, the losses weren’t catastrophic. Each Monbulk team was able to win a decent number of ends and remain competitive right to the last end. Mike Harris’ team had a close first half but then dropped a five shot clanger on the tenth end to give up the lead and give Berwick a sniff. Monbulk was able to avoid more clangers but Berwick kept winning more of the mat and increasing the lead. Monbulk lost the rink 12 shots to 21. Andy Smith’s team won ten ends including three 3 shotters. But they also dropped two 3s and a 4. In the run home and down by 11 shots, Monbulk won five ends in a row to reduce the margin to two shots. But Berwick steadied to win the last two ends with singles and take the rink. Monbulk lost 18 shots to 22.
Peter Koomen’s team was 10 shots all on the tenth end and looked set for a tight finish. But, in the back half, Monbulk only managed four more wins, all for singles, while Berwick dominated with eight winning ends including three doubles. Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 20. Graeme Goller’s team led throughout the front end, then they dropped a few ends in a row after the break, to trail by a narrow margin. The race home was not dominated by either team. Both teams scored multiples and the scoreboard progressed in leaps. Berwick held a five shot lead going into the last end. Monbulk scraped out a four shotter to reduce the loss 21 shots to 22.
Overall Monbulk lost 65 to Berwick 85. Monbulk is sitting bottom of the ladder with only two ladder points.
Next week they travel to Upwey-Tecoma. It will be an away match but the synthetic surface will be familiar and Monbulk will be eager to progress their ladder position.
