By Eric Markham
On Saturday, Monbulk 1 played Croydon in a clash that would determine who holds the top position on the ladder.
Andrew Bell’s rink began brilliantly leading by 20 shots to zero after eight ends.
However, Croydon rallied after the break and by the nineteenth end, were within four shots.
Bell soon steadied his rink and they were winners by 11 shots, 31 to 20.
Eric Markham’s rink began well and maintained a comfortable margin due to some excellent bowling by Jenny Holmes.
They lost the last three ends but were able to secure the win 19 to 14.
Richard Cookson’s rink had a close tussle when the scores were tied at eight shots each.
From there, they won eight of the next 11 ends to win 28 to 11.
Brian Smith’s rink battled hard all day with two multiples of five on the eighth and tenth ends against them being the difference.
However, this rink rallied late in the game to go down 17 to 22.
This meant Monbulk had a convincing win by 28 shots, 95 to 67 and they have gained top spot on the ladder.
Monbulk 2 expected a tough game as they hit the road to take on Boronia.
Despite losses from Graeme Goller’s rink and Norma Clerke’s rink, wins from Eric Furby’s rink and Case Brokhof’s rink saw Monbulk secure an overall 85-72 victory.
Monbulk 3 played away at Glen Waverley on grass. Losses for Alan Brooke’s and Alan Hamilton’s rinks saw Monbulk lose 26 to 51.
Monbulk’s Division 1 team hosted Ferntree Gully (FTG) on 15 October, in what turned out to be a very close contest.
At the lunch break both teams were locked together on 38 shots. After the break FTG edged ahead by four shots at the seventeenth end.
Monbulk rallied and going into the last end scores were tied.
However, some steady bowling from FTG saw them take the points by six shots, 59 to 65.
Monbulk 2 played Donvale at home and after grabbing control of the game from the start, Monbulk recorded a very comfortable 82 to 39 win.
Monbulk 3 found the grass green tough at Mulgrave and struggled across all rinks to lose by 30 shots, 49 to 79.
Monbulk has a Try Bowls Day on 27 October between 11am and 3pm and everyone is welcome to participate with free coaching and all bowls supplied.
Night Owl bowls will start on 7 November at 7.30pm.
