By Jack Rollings
Saturday Metro Bowls pennant.
The weather was hot and sticky. It was threatening to rain, and there were even a couple of minutes of heavy drops, but nothing came of it really. Monbulk 1 travelled to Warburton. Monbulk had won at home in the first round, but knew it would be a big ask on the Warburton home track.
The Warburton green has extreme contrasts: one side is as wide as Monbulk’s green, but the other side is so narrow, it’s almost straight. Add a bit of breeze to the mix and you can imagine the struggle Monbulk had against some strong opponents.
Eric Markham’s team started well and led 6 to 1 going into the sixth end. Then they dropped a 4 shot clanger and let Warburton back into the competition. It was close for most of the game after that with lead changes and level scores, until the seventeenth end when Monbulk dropped a bad 5 shot clanger. Monbulk won the final three ends but couldn’t quite make up that margin. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 20.
Brian Smith’s team lost the first four ends then picked up the next five ends, to be 6 all at the ninth end. After that, it was Warburton who took control and only let Monbulk collect two more singles for the game. Monbulk was unable to stop some big scores being given away and ended up losing the rink 8 shots to 31.
Tony French’s team didn’t get on the scoreboard until the ninth end, and had already given away three big clangers, to trail by 16 shots. After that they won more ends and only lost the mat four times. Heading home they won five ends in a row and looked like a chance. But on the second last end they dropped a 6 shot clanger and that put the game beyond reach. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 29. Jim Bras’ team had a close match with level scores and lead changes throughout the day.
But in the crucial run home, it was Monbulk who controlled the mat and grew the lead.
Monbulk won the rink 21 shots to 14.
Overall Monbulk lost the round 62 shots to 94, with only one rink up. That result drops Monbulk down to seventh spot on the ladder with three wins and five losses. Next week Monbulk plays Mitcham who are just above on the ladder with the same win/loss ratio. The game is at Monbulk, so it is up to Monbulk bowlers to use the advantage.
Monbulk 2 played at home against Pakenham 3.
Peter Koomen’s team trailed at the halfway point but came out strongly after the break. They caught up and traded blows for a few ends and were still level with just two ends to go. They dropped a single but then finished with an almighty 6 shotter on the last end to take the rink
24 shots to 19.
Andy Smith’s team led for most of the day and dropped only two clangers. They picked up three 3s and a big 6 shotter to maintain the lead with a comfortable margin. They won the
rink 26 shots to 18.
Mike Harris’ team struggled to get on the scoreboard in the first half with only two ends won. After the break Monbulk won four ends in a row, to get within 2 shots of the lead. But Pakenham turned up the heat, winning five ends including three big scores. Monbulk grabbed a 5 shotter on the last end, but it wasn’t enough to spoil Pakenham’s party. Monbulk lost the rink 16 shots to 26.
Case Broekhof’s team led all day. They dropped only one big score, to let Pakenham into double figures, but they picked up three big scores themselves, including an emphatic 4 shotter on the last end. They won the rink 25 shots to 12. Overall Monbulk won the round 91 shots to 75 with three rinks up. Monbulk 2 is sitting in fifth spot with four wins and four losses and close enough to take the next step up. Next week
Monbulk 2 plays away against Berwick who are just above in fourth spot. A good win could be all it takes.
