By Jack Rollings
The temperature was predicted to be in the mid-30s, so the Monbulk bowling sides arranged with the opposition sides to start the games two hours early to beat the heat. As it turned out, the temperature only got to about 33 so the early games weren’t disrupted at all, and it was generally a good day for bowling.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Healesville 1. Many of the bowlers on both sides had played against each other in the Tuesday competition this week, where Healesville won on all rinks, so on Saturday, Monbulk was looking to square the ledger with Healesville.
Karen Rice’s team started slowly and was down by 5 shots going into the fifth end. Then Monbulk won four ends in a row to level at 7 shots all. The game then seesawed for much of the day, until the nineteenth end, when, with the last bowl, the Monbulk skip converted a 1 shot head into 5 shots. That gave Monbulk a decent lead on the scorecard and Healesville couldn’t recover. Monbulk won the rink 24 shots to 18.
Brian Smith’s team had one of their best performances for the season. They dropped only six ends for the day, with no losses higher than a 2. Their wins included two 3s, three 4s, and a 5. They led all day and kept increasing the margin. Even when the other Monbulk teams were in close struggles, this team kept the composite scoreboard ticking over in favour of Monbulk. Monbulk won the rink 38 shots to 11.
Eric Markham’s team had a close one all day. The lead changed several times. With three ends to go, Monbulk was trailing by 3 shots. The other rinks had finished and were looking on. The tension was mounting. That’s when Monbulk pulled out all the stops and won the last two ends with a 4 and a 2, to win the rink 24 shots to 21.
Jim Bras’ team had level scores four times during the game. And each time they managed to regain the lead. With four ends to go, the scores were 16 shots all. Then Monbulk won four in a row to take the win 23 shots to 16.
Overall Monbulk had a big win 109 shots to 66, with all four rinks up. The bowls transactions with Healesville were reconciled. Monbulk is back on top of the ladder, just nine ladder points above Lilydale in second place. Both Monbulk and Lilydale have a win/loss ratio of 8/4. And next Saturday, in the penultimate home and away round, it will be Monbulk versus Lilydale, at Lilydale, in a battle for the top spot. This is going to be a pressure match-up.
Monbulk 2 played away at Upwey/Tecoma. The greens at Upwey are still in need of repairs and maintenance following the floods last year. Not all the rinks were playable and the Monbulk games were split over the two greens.
Alan Hamilton’s team had a close game, with the margin no greater than 3 shots for most of the day. Then towards the end of the game, and trailing by 1 shot, Monbulk put on a spurt and grabbed a big 5 shotter, then went on to win the rink 22 shots to 14.
Klaus Eisele’s team won seven ends, mostly with singles, while their opponents grabbed quite a few doubles and some bigger scores. It was a tough day at the office. Monbulk lost the rink 8 shots to 29.
Peter Lee’s team had a game of thirds. The first third was won by Monbulk, then Upwey/Tecoma caught up and led in the second third, then Monbulk stormed home in the final third, picking up some good multiples and taking the win 21 shots to 14.
Mike Harris’ team won nine ends and stayed close for most of the day. Even going into the sixteenth end, the scores were level at 12 shots all. Then, in the run home, Monbulk dropped some clangers and had to settle for a loss 14 shots to 24.
Overall Monbulk lost the round 65 shots to 81 with two rinks up. Monbulk is fourth on the ladder with a healthy 7/5 win/loss ratio. They are just one ladder point below the third spot which would bring on a home-ground final – something worth striving for. Next week Monbulk plays at home against Dandenong RSL who have scored just two wins this season. Monbulk will be looking for full points.
Cockatoo/Monbulk played away at Eastwood Golf Bowls Club. Going into this round Eastwood had not won a single match for the season. Even playing away on their challenging green, Cockatoo/Monbulk managed to keep the big points travelling in their direction and secure the win.
Mark Coulter’s team led all day but could not quite break away until the final four ends when they picked up 10 shots. They won the rink 25 shots to 13.
Mark Blythman’s team won the most ends and was either level or in front for most of the day. Then, in the final three ends, they gave up a 5 shot lead and dropped a 6 and two doubles, to lose the rink 20 shots to 25.
Anthony Young’s team won a stack of multiples, only dropping seven ends. They led all day and were never threatened. They won the rink 35 shots to 18.
Ken Earle’s team had dropped just 6 shots in the front half while racking up a strong 18 shots. On the sixteenth end, they were 20 shots in front. Then Eastwood put in a good finish and was able to reduce the margin. Cockatoo/Monbulk won the rink 27 shots to 17.
Overall Cockatoo/Monbulk won 107 shots to 73. They are now second on the ladder, just a single ladder point below Lilydale 4. And who do they play next Saturday? – Lilydale 4 at Cockatoo. The winner will take the top spot on the ladder. It will be a tough run home for this Cockatoo/Monbulk side, with the final match against Yarra Glen 3 who are sitting in third place, just three ladder points below.
