By Jack Rollings
Saturday pennant resumed this week with round 10. In an unusual coincidence of the draw, both Monbulk sides played Upwey/Tecoma sides, one away and one at home. Monbulk 1 played Upwey/Tecoma at Upwey.
Jim Bras’ team struggled in the first third, winning only one end and trailing by 6 shots. Then, in the next three ends, they picked up 8 shots, to take the lead. The next end Upwey picked up a big 6 shotter to retake the lead. Both teams dropped some big scores in sight of the finish line, but Upwey finished the stronger team. Monbulk lost the rink 23 shots to 27.
Eric Markham’s team dropped a bad 6 shotter on the first end. Far from demoralised, they won the next eight ends to lead by 10 shots going into the tenth end. Upwey managed some small wins, but the Monbulk team dominated for the majority of the match. When Upwey finished with three good ends it was all too late. Monbulk won the rink 28 shots to 15.
Brian Smith’s rink was a low-scoring match with neither side ready to concede multiples. The first third was fairly even, then Monbulk edged ahead with the only 3 shotter for the match and they were able to defend their margin to the finish. Monbulk won the rink 17 shots to 11.
Tony French’s team led for most of the afternoon, picking up several multiples. They held a 10 shot lead going into the final third. Then Upwey reset for the run home, playing with a lot more confidence. Going into the last end Monbulk still led by 3 shots but disaster struck when the last three Monbulk bowls went long into the ditch and Upwey grabbed 4 shots.
Monbulk lost the rink 21 shots to 22. Overall Monbulk won the round 89 shots to 75 with two rinks up. Monbulk is now sixth on the ladder with a 5/5 win/loss ratio. Next Saturday Monbulk plays Lilydale at home. Lilydale may be second on the ladder, but they have recorded only one more win than Monbulk.
A Monbulk win is within reach.
Monbulk 2 played at home against the second side from Upwey/Tecoma.
Case Broekhof’s rink experienced a day of fluctuating action, with frequent level scores, lead changes, and multiple shots scored by both teams. Going into the seventeenth end the scores were still locked at 15 shots all. Upwey got their noses in front. Then Monbulk picked up a great 4 shotter on the last end to reduce the margin but unfortunately still falling short of the win.
They lost the rink 20 shots to 21. Andy Smith’s team had close results for the first two thirds of the day. Going into the fifteenth end the scores were 11 shots all. Then Monbulk picked up a handy 5 shotter to take over the lead, then another 3 shotter with just five ends to go. Upwey won some final ends but couldn’t make up for the multiples. Monbulk won the rink 20 shots to 17.
Peter Lee’s team struggled in the front half, trailing by 7 shots. Then in the middle of the game they picked up five ends in a row for a total of 12 shots, to take the lead by 7 shots. It was a strong turnaround. In the run home Upwey picked up four ends but all for singles.
Monbulk was able to hold onto their lead and take the rink 20 shots to 16. Peter Koomen’s team only dropped three ends in the first two thirds of the match. Going into the fifteenth end they were 14 shots up. Upwey ran home strongly but their wins were mainly singles and Monbulk was able to hold onto the win 25 shots to 18.
Overall Monbulk 2 won the round with 85 shots to 72, and three rinks up. Monbulk 2 is now sixth on the ladder with a 5/5 win/loss ratio. Next week Monbulk 2 will travel to Cockatoo. A strong win there could have Monbulk 2 knocking on the door of a top four spot.
