Monbulk holds top spot

Darren Ward drawing to the jack. Picture: SUPPLIED.

On Tuesday Monbulk 1 who were on top of the ladder played Warburton who are in fourth place away from home in the last round with both teams assured of a finals berth.

Eric Markham’s rink started well and after 7 ends led by 6 shots. They then dropped 5 of the next 6 ends to trail by 6 shots. The game then turned around again with the Monbulk rink winning 6 ends in a row to lead by 3 shots with 2 ends to play. However, they lost the last two ends and went down by a solitary shot, 18 to 19.

Jim Bras’ rink came up against some good opposition and after 7 ends were 10 shots down. They then won 6 of the next 9 ends to reduce the margin to 4 shots, but couldn’t make up the leeway losing by 5 shots, 16 to 21.

Jenny Holmes’ rink was outplayed for the majority of the game-winning just 5 ends and went down by 24 shots, 5 to 29.

Monbulk lost the overall by 30 shots, 39 to 69 and will face Yarra Glen at home in the semi-final after finishing on top of the ladder.

Monbulk 2 played Hampton Park at home hoping for a win in their final game.

Eric Furby’s rink were well on top early and they led by 10 shots after 6 ends. They then lost the next 4 ends to trail by 1 shot. The Monbulk rink then took the lead back on the next 2 ends and when they picked up 8 shots on the eighteenth and nineteenth ends they were home, eventually winning by 7 shots, 28 to 21.

Alan Hamilton’s rink were in control after 8 ends leading by 9 shots. They then lost 8 of the next 9 ends to trail by one shot with 4 ends to play. They then seized the initiative winning the next 3 ends and held on to win by 1 shot, 18 to 17.

Graeme Goller’s rink were 3 shots down after 4 ends, then they won 12 of the next 14 ends to lead by 18 shots and cruised to victory winning by 16 shots, 27 to 11.

Monbulk 2 won the overall by 24 shots, 73 to 49 and ended the season on a positive.

Monbulk 3 played Donvale at home with neither side chasing a final place.

Alan Brooke’s rink started brilliantly and led by 16 shots after 8 ends. They then lost 5 of the next 6 ends to have their lead cut to 6 shots. The Monbulk rink then won 4 of the last 7 ends to win by 9 shots, 24 to 15.

Mike Harris’ rink was all square after 7 ends, but they won only two more ends to lose by 18 shots, 10 to 28.

Bruce Cockerill’s rink found themselves 12 shots down after 6 ends. They were able to reduce the margin to 4 shots 6 ends later, but could not sustain this improvement losing by 9 shots, 15 to 24.

Monbulk 3 lost overall by 18 shots, 49 to 67.