By Jack Rollings
Some bowls games across Melbourne were cancelled because of the heat. It got close to the cut-off 36 degrees at local venues, but the cloud cover made it feel bearable.
Monbulk 1 travelled to Ringwood and played on their middle grass green. It was in good condition but Monbulk players were struggling to find their lines in the windy conditions.
Jim Bras’ team had a close battle for most of the day. At the halfway point scores were 11 shots all, then 16 all after the fourteenth end. But Ringwood dominated in the run home, collecting six of the seven ends. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 23.
Tony French’s team dropped some big numbers in the front half and trailed by 11 shots at the halfway mark. After the tea break they dropped a couple of 3 shot clangers which put them further under pressure. They were able to collect some doubles in the final third but not enough to claw back the deficit. Monbulk lost the rink 12 shots to 29.
Brian Smith’s rink had a close, low-scoring game. Going into the eighteenth end Monbulk was a single shot up. Ringwood picked up two ends to lead by 2 shots. Then Monbulk picked up a single to trail by 1 shot heading into the last end. In a thrilling finish Ringwood were able to claim the last shot and Monbulk lost the rink 12 shots to 14.
Eric Markham’s team led throughout the front half, picking up some valuable multiples and growing the margin to 7 shots. Then, at the top of the final third, disaster struck and Monbulk dropped a devastating 7 and then a 4. Ringwood took the lead and Monbulk couldn’t quite claw it back before the finish line. Monbulk lost the rink 23 shots to 26.
Overall Monbulk 1 lost the round 65 shots to 92 with no ladder points earned. They have slipped to seventh spot. Next week, the halfway match for the season, Monbulk plays Ferntree Gully who are at the top of the ladder with only one loss recorded. But that one loss was to Warburton and Monbulk has beaten Warburton. On paper this is achievable. Monbulk 2 played at home against Keysborough 3.
Norma Clerke’s team had a close one in the front half. Then they took control in the back half, picking up some solid multiples. Keysborough made a late charge, but Monbulk’s margin was too strong. They won the rink 27 shots to 13.
Peter Koomen’s team trailed in the front half but stayed in touch with a couple of 3 shotters. The back half was a completely different game, with Monbulk dominating and only dropping one single end. They grew their margin and finished off the day with an emphatic 4 shotter.
Monbulk won the rink 31 shots to 11. Andy Smith’s team led all day. They did drop a couple of clangers, but they also picked up two 3s, a 4 and a 5. They finished the game in confident fashion and took the rink 25 shots to 16.
Mike Harris’ team struggled in the front two thirds and trailed by 12 shots going into the fourteenth end. The run home was a lot closer and Monbulk was able to win more ends and reduce the margin. But the damage was done earlier and Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 26.
Overall Monbulk defeated Keysborough 101 shots to 66, with three rinks up. This round’s win is important because it has pushed Monbulk up into the top four.
Next week Monbulk 2 will travel to the Dandenong Club who are in third spot. But after this weekend, Monbulk 2 has belief which makes anything achievable.
