By Jack Rollings
The weather was rain, hail, gusty wind, bitterly cold as mid-winter, and very occasional bright warm sun, not for long though.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Healesville 1. They did have to stop playing for a while when the rain picked up and the green had big puddles. But Monbulk had the momentum and was eager to get back out onto the green as soon as it started clearing.
Jim Bras’ team led all day. At the lunch break, they were up 22 shots to 4. After the break, Healesville found their range on the wet green and Monbulk could only win three ends in the back half. But the Monbulk lead was too great and Healesville couldn’t catch up. Monbulk picked up five 3s and a whopping big rare 8-shotter. Monbulk won the rink 30 shots to 17.
Eric Markham’s team had a horror game last week. They were determined to turn the tables this week and were able to do just that. They dropped only six ends for the whole game and the wins included a 3, a 4, two 5s and a 6. They were able to keep the pressure on for the whole game and take the rink 38 shots to 9.
Brian Smith’s team didn’t get on the scoreboard until the seventh end and then they did it with a big 4-shotter. In the back half, Monbulk dominated, only dropping four ends and collecting a couple of 3s and another 4. They took over the lead on the sixteenth end and held off a late comeback from Healesville to take the win 24 shots to 21.
Overall Monbulk won 92 shots to 47 with three rinks up. They are now third on the ladder with two wins and two losses. Next week Monbulk plays away against Mooroolbark 1 who are unbeaten and on top of the ladder with a clear margin.
Monbulk 2 played away against Cranbourne 3.
Graeme Goller’s team led on all but one end. They won twelve ends but did drop two 3s and a 4, making the contest very close. They were 17 shots all going into the last end but managed to nail a big 3 and take the rink points. Monbulk won the rink 20 shots to 17.
Don Barnetson’s team struggled in the front half, winning only four ends. But they did better after lunch and won a majority of the back half ends. Clangers were the biggest problem. They dropped three 3s and two 4s. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 26.
Peter Koomen’s team won ten ends and had a close match for most of the day with level scores on several ends. Then, on the eighteenth end, with the finish in sight, they dropped a 5-shot clanger. They won the final two ends but not with big enough scores to catch up. Monbulk lost the rink 13 shots to 19.
Overall Monbulk lost 62 shots to 48 with one rink up. They are still fourth on the ladder, with Noble Park just above in the third spot. And that’s who Monbulk plays next week.
Monbulk 3 had a bye this week. Next week they play away against Yarra Junction 1. They are one win below Monbulk on the ladder. A win for Monbulk next week would push them up the ladder.
