It was a big weekend for bowls, with rounds 9 and 10 being played on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday 8 December, Monbulk Bowling Club’s first side played away on grass against Mooroolbark.
Andrew Bell’s team battled hard all day and in a close contest went down to the last end, where they dropped three shots and went down 15 shots to 21.
Richard Cookson’s team had a great start and got to a 24 to one lead by the 13th end.
After that, Mooroolbark came good and won the last third, but mainly with singles, while Monbulk had scored several multiples.
The side hung onto a convincing win by 26 shots to eight.
Brian Smith’s team started well and was able to gain a good lead, eventually winning, 24 shots to 10.
Eric Markham’s rink struggled all day and was just able to stay in touch, eventually losing 19 shots to 30.
Overall, Monbulk won 84 shots to 69, which leaves the side in third on the ladder.
Monbulk 2 played at home against Cardinia Waters, who held top position on the ladder.
Eric Furby’s team continued its good form with a strong win, 24 shots to 10.
Peter Francis’ team experienced a rare loss, 17 shots to 25.
Case Broekhof’s team just got pipped, 21 to 22, but Graeme Goller’s team had the standout win, 38 shots to 11.
Overall, Monbulk won 100 shots to 72. That puts the team on top of the ladder.
On Sunday 9 December, for the start of the second round of matches, third-placed Monbulk 1 hosted top of the table Upwey Tecoma.
Monbulk started well and won by 10 shots, 73 to 63.
Andrew Bell’s rink had a terrific win by 13 shots, 24 to 11.
Eric Markham’s rink bowled consistently well throughout the day to win by 10 shots, 23 to 13. Richard Cookson’s rink had a close battle, eventually losing by two shots, 15 to 17.
Brian Smith’s rink worked hard to stay in touch, going down by 11 shots, 11 to 22.
Monbulk 2 had a record-breaking victory by 124 shots, 159 to 35.
Norma Clerkes’ rink won by 26 shots, 34 to 8, and Eric Furbys rink won by 16 shots, 29 to 13.
Peter Francis’ rink won by 35 shots, 42 to 7, with Graeme Goller’s rink winning by the unbelievable margin of 47 shots, 54 to 7.
Monbulk 3 played away at Chirnside Park on their grass green.
Doug Elliott’s team had a close loss, 19 to 20.
Peter Hiscox’s team won well by 17 shots, 33 to 16, which gave Monbulk an overall win by 16 shots, 52 shots to 36.
This meant that Monbulk won all games over the double-header weekend.
On Tuesday, Monbulk 1 was hoping to continue its undefeated run away against Boronia.
All three Monbulk rinks started slowly and allowed Boronia to get out to a hefty lead.
Andrew Bell’s team struggled against a confident Boronia outfit.
Any time Monbulk was holding a multiple cluster, the opposition would come in and cut it down or take the shot.
Monbulk lost 11 shots to 26.
Richard Cookson’s team had a closer loss of 15 shots to 22.
Eric Markham’s team was the only rink to get the points, coming up on the very last end to win 20 shots to 17.
Monbulk 2 played at home against Ferntree Gully 3.
Peter Francis’ team was 12 shots-all going into the 17th end and picked up a massive five on the 19th end and then hung on to win 20 shots to 14.
Everett Hargreaves team played an amazing match in three distinct thirds – level going into the seventh end, ahead 21 shots to eight going into the 14th end, then just hanging on to win by one shot with a final score of 22 shots to 21.
Eric Furby’s team led all day, picking up a couple of fives and a six, and finishing with a strong final score of 30 shots to 13.
Winning all the ladder points for this match pushes the side into third position on the ladder, within striking distance of the top two.
Monbulk 3 played away against Heatherdale 3 on a slow grass green.
Mike Harris’ team didn’t mind the conditions and had a good win, 20 shots to 16.
Don Barnetson’s team suffered a big loss, 12 shots to 29.
Barry Adshead’s team had a thrilling draw, 17 shots-all.
Overall, Monbulk lost 49 shots to 62 but hung onto a positon in the top four.
