By Jack Rollings
Saturday pennant, the final round of home and away bowls. The weather matched the significance of the round. It was the classic four seasons in one day – low temperatures, wild gusty winds, sudden and brief torrential rain, hail, sun, rainbows, the lot. Experienced bowlers were shaking their heads in disbelief as their bowls tracked on unbelievable curves.
There was no such thing as a home ground advantage – the home grounds were at the mercy of the weather. Monbulk 1 travelled to Ferntree Gully with a slim chance of cracking it into the top four, relying on a strong win away against the second placed side, and also relying on the bottom placed side Upwey/Tecoma beating fourth placed Heathmont. Both scenarios required minor miracles. In the pre-game huddle, the Monbulk players were told to simply enjoy their game and support each other.
Jim Bras’ team trailed in the front two thirds and was 4 shots down going into the sixteenth end. That was when they picked up a big 4 shotter to equal. From there, in the run home, Monbulk dominated, winning most of the ends with strong multiples and setting a comfortable margin. Monbulk won the rink 21 shots to 14.
Tony French’s team had a day out. They led all day, dropped only eight ends, mainly singles, and picked up some multiples along the way. Luck seemed to favour Monbulk, adding to the frustration of their opponents. And Tony supported his team with some spectacular saving conversions. Monbulk won the rink 26 shots to 10.
Eric Markham’s team led for the front two thirds and had a 4-shot lead after the thirteenth end. In the run home, Ferntree Gully stepped up a gear. They took the lead, for the first time in the day, after the eighteenth end, and hung on with some multiples. Eric’s team went down 17 shots to 25, although by that time, the composite scoreboard was already heavily in Monbulk’s favour.
Brian Smith’s rink was almost a mirror image of Eric’s. Monbulk trailed until the fifteenth end, as much as 9 shots down. Then, in the run home, they dictated play, only conceding two singles and picking up mainly doubles. It was a strong finish and ensured the extra points for the rink win 22 shots to 17.
Overall Monbulk won the round 86 shots to 66, with three rinks up – that was one minor miracle. And then the phone call came, that Heathmont had been defeated by Upwey/Tecoma by a single shot, with two rinks up – that was the second minor miracle.
Those amazing results have pushed Monbulk into fourth spot with a finals berth next weekend, edging out powerhouse club Heathmont. Monbulk will be playing Lilydale at Lilydale. Miracles can happen.
Monbulk 2, out of the top four, played at home against Dandenong Club who were safely in the top four. The top four had resilient safety margins already posted so this was a match played for glory, not position.
Norma Clerke’s team had a close battle in the front half with lead changes and equal scores. Then Dandenong put the pressure on in the run home. Monbulk dropped three 3-shot clangers in a row to give Dandenong a safe margin. Monbulk lost the rink 17 shots to 24.
Peter Lee’s team struggled against a strong Dandenong lineup. Monbulk won singles, while Dandenong won multiples. As much as the Monbulk bowlers were trying their hardest, Dandenong had the answers. In the final six ends Dandenong increased their lead by 11 shots. Monbulk lost the rink 10 shots to 27.
Case Broekhof’s team was the MVP for Monbulk. They faced a tough challenge midway but kept their cool and dominated the game, winning fourteen ends with several impressive multiples.
Monbulk clinched the rink with a commanding score of 28 shots to 13. Mike Harris’ team faced a tough match all day. They managed to secure six ends but conceded significant scores early on. During the final stretch, they tightened their defence and minimised losses, but the result was already determined. Monbulk fell short, losing the rink 9 shots to 33.
Overall Monbulk lost the round 64 shots to 97 with only one rink up. That leaves Monbulk in sixth place with six wins and eight losses, no finals berth, but importantly, avoiding relegation for next season.
