By Jack Rollings
Saturday Pennant – The weather was warm with no wind, perfect for playing bowls. Monbulk 1 played in the semifinal after a week’s delay due to the two total fire bans on the previous weekend.
The semifinal was against Lilydale on their home ground, which is a woven carpet, similar to Monbulk’s, not quite as wide, and with some wayward runs that threw up some surprising results. A sizeable crowd from both sides attended, with Lilydale’s supporters being the loudest.
The first half of the match was closely contested. After the break, the game could have gone either way.
Jim Bras’ team jumped early to take the lead and win most of the mat. They dropped a 4 shot clanger on the sixth end but were able to make that up on the next two ends. Lilydale ran home strongly and levelled the scores going into the last end.
In a nail-biter, Monbulk managed to grab a 3 shooter to win the rink 18 shots to 15. Eric Markham’s team struggled against a very strong Lilydale combination. Even though Monbulk won only five ends, they trailed by only 3 shots going into the fifteenth end.
That was when Lilydale put the foot down and piled on 10 shots in the run home. Monbulk lost the rink 10 shots to 23.
Tony French’s team started strongly and led by 8 shots going into the ninth end. After the break Lilydale chose short ends and the tactic proved successful. Monbulk won only three more ends for the match. Lilydale levelled the scores after the sixteenth end.
With two ends to go Monbulk trailed by a single shot. Lilydale dominated the final two ends, picking up a 3 and a 4. Monbulk lost the rink 19 shots to 27.
Brian Smith’s team won eight ends including a 3 shooter, but their losses included five 3s and a 4. The opposition Lilydale team had some big names, including the legendary John Snell who put in his usual impressive game. From trailing by just 3 shots at the break, Monbulk slipped back in the run home and lost the rink 13 shots to 29.
Overall Monbulk lost to Lilydale 60 shots to 94. Lilydale will play against Ferntree Gully in the preliminary final. Monbulk’s season has finished. Saturday’s loss to Lilydale in the semifinals stings right now but Monbulk players can be reminded how incredibly far they’ve come this season.
After Christmas, they really hit their stride, surprising everyone—including themselves—by taking down some of the top sides. That turnaround showed just how much Monbulk improved as a team, and making it to the semifinals was a testament to their hard work, determination, and team spirit. They will come back even stronger next season!
