Tuesday Midweek Pennant
The weeks results in Midweek Pennant has delivered the Bowling club with a very nourishing treat, a very tasty clean sweep with all 3 sides savouring victory.
Team 1 Division 1
The Top side served up the entrée with a 12/4 61/52 win against Croydon away on the Pirates home turf. Jim Bras (25/11) and his team of Eric Markham, Greg Myers and the timeless Klaus Eisele delivered a hot performance to anchor the win setting the standard early and motoring home to produce the match winning effort. Brian Smith (19/20) will be proud of his rink despite having led all game, only to lose at the death on the last end. Rob Wilson (17/21) rink has had a good season to date however could not get the job done on this occasion but will be rightly pleased at coming from a long way back to narrow the margin and help the Hawks secure the away win.
Team 2 Division 3
Also venturing to Croydon the Hawks 2s delivered a delicious main course winning the contest easily and starving the home side of victory that day. In their 15/1 69/47 win both the Graeme Goller (27/15) and Andy Smith (25/15) rinks feasted on their opponents to record comfortable wins. Ray Pike ( 17/17) locked horns with a determined opposition gaining 1 point for the draw in a low scoring tight match. The skippers were serviced very well by their team mates to help produce the team results, with notable performances from ray Aarts, Andrew Mackie, Graeme Seymour, Peter Lee, Martin “Grumpy” Williams, and Andrew Thomas all playing their role in the strong win.
Team 3 Division 5
Holding the fort at home the 3s devoured the final course that being the visiting Donvale side winning 14/2 60/53. The Mike Harris rink (21/9) liked what was on the menu as they anchored the win with an impressive 12 shot win. Tristan Berry and Darren Ward produced some of their finest work with the ever reliable Des Ray playing his part in the win. Bruce Cockerill (23/20) was ably supported by Kaye lee and Yvonne Cowling whilst President Peter Dowsett cast his eye over proceeding from the seconds position chipping in with gold when required. Despite playing well Frank Mileto (16/24) rink could not quite grab the points on this occasion however thoroughly enjoyed their part in the overall victory and the winning banquet.
Saturday Pennant.
Team 1 Division 2.
Due to a quirky twist in the fixture just like the Tuesday side the Saturday top side also played Croydon, this time on the Hawks home deck. It would not turn out to be a happy week for the Croydon teams as they were to once again taste defeat, the Pirates will no doubt be pleased if they don’t see a Monbulk uniform again for some time. After the slow start to season Monbulk 1s hit a run of form having won the last 2 games, however this contest on paper would be their biggest challenge to date coming up against the more fancied ladder leaders in a game that might tell a tale. Full of motivation after a last end loss to this team in round 1 Monbulk got off to a solid start opening up a nice but not definitive lead early, the margin slowly increased as the game moved forward with the home side determined to hold off any visitor resurgence. That would be the trend for pretty much of the game with the margin floating around 10 -15 shots until the inevitable serge came from a good opposition late in the match, with the margin getting cut to 3 before Monbulk impressively steadied to take the chocolates 85/67 16/2. Jim Bras (27/13) was once again the leader of the pack with his impressive win and once again was supported well by the ageless Klaus Eisele in his lead position and the solid Eric Markham as third. Rob Wilson (25/16) rink supported by Karen Wilson, Anne Ward and Ray Pund, produced an even team effort to record their win. Dion Addison (23/16) was like a dog with a bone refusing to yield in a very tough contest that was highlighted by 12 of the 21 ends played resulting in only singles, however he and his team of Rob Espernberger, Calvin Connell and Craig “ Turbo “Ward eventually won the arm wrestle to break away with an impressive win. Brian Smith “ the human highlight reel”(10/22) did his best to pilot the side to victory however despite many end saving bowls by the skipper these 2 points was to be taken away by the visitor. However he and his team of Shaun Wilson, Jenny Holmes and Kylie Bailey can join in the celebrations of a very good overall result and a continuation of the winning run.
Team 2 Division 5.
Playing away at a venue that is always tough to win at, the Eastwood Golf greens are a slow trap for unsuspecting visitors. Running at a speed somewhat slower than most greens the Monbulk side would have needed to produce their best to grab these points. Indeed the Monbulk 2s did play well and did some good work however they just came up short in the 2 rinks all test, 70/75 4/14. Andy Smith (23/16) continues his good season with a very nice win away however his 7-shot win was not enough to make the mathematics work for the overall win. Case Broekhof (17/16) returning to the skipping role after a self-imposed spell was able to pinch a 1 shot win from the jaws of defeat to pick up a vital 2 points for his side. Case was pleased with the support of his team Don Barnetson, Rick Giurini, and Ivan Baric. On the other side of the ledger fait was not as kind to Mark Hoefer (16/17) in his first skipping gig for the season going down by the narrowest of margins. Graeme Goller (14/26) and his team was left to lament what might have been, despite their best efforts that at times looked like it might be enough they were to eventually succumb to the home side advantage.
Team 3 Division 8
This team’s first season continues to be a success with yet another fighting performance that took their contest to the wire against a visiting Yarra Junction team perched 2nd on the ladder. Unfortunately, the points weren’t able to be secured this week going down 45/55 2/14 despite the fabulous fight however the confidence and the success story grows. Mike Harris ( 17/13) and his rink of Brendan Griffiths, Kaye Lee, and Brian Anderson led from the front in their winning performance. Yvonne Cowling (13/19 )rink got pipped at the post after a strong fight. Kelly Machin was instrumental in assisting her skippers’ efforts. Frank Mileto (15/23) supported by Darren Ward, John Cassamento and Tristan Berry who played a great game did their bit in the response to the effort.
