by Jack Rollings
There was no midweek pennant this week due to the Bowls Vic Open being held up at Shepparton.
Saturday pennant round 6.
The weather was warm, no jackets needed, but very blowy – bowlers could have done with some earmuffs, and a GPS for the bowls.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Lilydale 3.
Prior to this round Monbulk was undefeated, on top of the ladder, they were playing at home and should have been a sure thing but Lilydale had their own plans.
Karen Rice’s team hadn’t lost a game going into this round. In this game they won the first two ends and all seemed normal, then Lilydale found their range and took the next six ends. Monbulk collected a good four shotter, to bring them back into the game but, after that they could only collect three more ends. They dropped only one clanger but Lilydale had answers to most of the shots. Monbulk lost the rink 11 shots to 23.
Eric Markham’s team had the most Monbulk success for the day. Lilydale won five more ends than Monbulk did, but Monbulk picked up a five and a six in the front half to give them an eight shot lead. Their back half wasn’t so good, with just three wins, and Lilydale kept eating into the lead but Monbulk hung on to win the rink by the smallest margin 20 shots to 19.
Jim Bras’ team was level-pegging in the first third, then Lilydale won five ends in a row to lead by 10 shots. After that Monbulk could only collect three singles, while Lilydale put in a strong finish. Monbulk lost the rink eight shots to 20.
Brian Smith’s team won nine ends, including a three and a four, but the losses included five threes and a big bad seven. The back half was Monbulk’s weakest, and, like all the Monbulk teams, Brian’s team only collected three wins heading to the finish. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 30.
Overall Monbulk 1 lost 57 shots to Lilydale 92, with only one rink up. They are still on top of the ladder, 12 ladder points above second, but the lead has shrunk. Next week they play away to Mooroolbark 2, who are fifth on the ladder with three wins and three losses.
Monbulk 2 played away against Dandenong RSL Rec.
Don Barnetson’s team started strongly, putting on 10 shots before the opposition scored. The back half wasn’t as good, and even though Monbulk won as many ends, the losses included a three, a four and a five. So, the opposition was back in contention and the final end was crucial. Monbulk just hung on to win the rink 23 shots to 21.
Graeme Goller‘s team had the advantage of playing against a depleted team. They did drop a three and three fours, but they also won four threes and three fives. Monbulk won the rink comfortably 34 shots to 20.
Alan Hamilton’s team also played against a depleted team of three. They led by five shots at the halfway mark then they had a tight tussle to the finish, dropping a 4-shot clanger didn’t help the cause. In the end Monbulk managed to scrape the win 18 shots to 14.
Peter Lee’s team had a close match for most of the day, with scores level several times. Then, with just three ends to go, they picked up a massive seven shotter, then a one and finally, a two, to take the rink 26 shots to 15.
Overall Monbulk 2 won 103 shots to 70, with all four rinks up. They are now third on the ladder, only two ladder points below second. Next week they play at home against Vermont South 5 who are sixth on the ladder.
Cockatoo/Monbulk played away against Lilydale 4.
Anthony Young’s team dropped nine ends for the day but mainly singles. The wins included four doubles, a three and a six. The back half was very close in ends won, but Cockatoo/Monbulk maintained a good lead and won the rink 23 shots to 11.
Alan Brooke’s team also dropped nine ends but they won the match in the front half, only dropping two singles. Lilydale were much more competitive in the back half, winning seven of the eleven ends, but the Cockatoo/Monbulk wins included two 4s. So, they held onto the lead and won 26 shots to 14.
Martin Cattanach’s team had a close front half, with scores on eight shots all after the tenth end. Then they only dropped three more ends out of eleven, and the wins included a three and an even better six with one end to go. They won the rink 25 shots to 13.
Mark Coulter’s team had a strong front half and was leading 19 shots to six at the halfway mark. After the break Lilydale came back strongly and Cockatoo/Monbulk could win only three more ends, while also giving away three threes and a four. They were 24 shots all heading into the final end and unfortunately Lilydale were too good, picking up a double. Cockatoo/Monbulk lost the rink 24 shots to 26.
Overall, Cockatoo/Monbulk won 98 shots to 64, with three rinks up. They are now fifth on the ladder with two wins, three losses and a bye.
Next week they play at Monbulk against Yarra Glen 3.
