By Jack Rollings
Saturday pennant. Yesterday’s weather was near to perfect for bowling. Warm, little to no wind. No excuses there.
Monbulk 1 played at home against Lilydale. It was a crucial matchup for both sides, with Lilydale clinging onto a top four spot and Monbulk trying to break into the top four. The composite scoreboard was the main focus for the day. Monbulk got the early break and led by 20 shots before afternoon tea. Towards the end of the day, it was Lilydale who finished stronger and reduced their deficit to something achievable. That made the final ends on each rink real nail-biters, with Monbulk just managing to hang on and take the big points.
Eric Markham’s team dominated in the first third, then dropped a 4 to let Lilydale back in the game on equal terms. Monbulk recovered well to take 9 shots over the next three ends. In the run home Lilydale won more ends but mainly for minor scores while Monbulk held onto the lead and even made a statement with a 3 shotter pick up on the last end to win the rink 23 shots to 18.
Jim Bras’ team also dominated in the early scores. They dropped only three ends in the front half and led by 11 shots going into the break. Once again Lilydale won more ends in the back half and gave Monbulk a scare with some multiples. It was a noisy last end when the Lilydale skip drove a fast bowl into the head to take out the only close Monbulk bowl and take a big 6 shots. But the Monbulk lead was too great and they were able to win the rink 25 shots to 20.
Tony French’s team won thirteen ends including five 3 shotters. But their losses included four big bad 4s which meant the lead changed during the day. After the break Monbulk won more of the mat and changed the length, resulting in a string of wins. On the second last end Lilydale grabbed a 3 shotter to bring them within 2 shots of the lead. But Monbulk made sure of the last end picking up their own 3 shotter to win the rink 25 shots to 20.
Brian Smith’s team was climbing a mountain all day. Their opposition team was skipped by the legendary John Snell and even though John might have slowed down a bit and uses the mechanical arm, he showed many times that he has lost none of his ability to read the head and predict where shots should go. Monbulk stayed close in the front half and levelled a couple of times, but Lilydale picked up some multiples in the back half and drew away. Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 22.
Overall Monbulk won the round 87 shots to 80 with three rinks up. That leaves Monbulk sitting in fifth place on the ladder, on equal points with fourth, just a score percentage making the difference. Next week is the last home and away round and Monbulk will travel to Upwey-Tecoma in a last gasp effort to make the finals.
Monbulk 2 played away against Lilydale 4 and they were “smashed”. All four rinks lost and all four rinks barely made it to double figures. It was an unhappy drive back from Lilydale.
Don Barnetson’s team started effectively and was up by 8 shots going into the eighth end. But Lilydale came home much stronger and picked up four 3s and a 5 in the back half. So, even though Monbulk won nine ends, they lost the rink 12 shots to 29.
Graeme Goller’s team had one of their toughest matches for the season. They won only seven ends and dropped a couple of clangers along the way. Monbulk lost the rink 11 shots to 24.
Case Broekhof’s team won eight ends but their losses included three 3s and a 5. Lilydale picked up further after the break and took the game away. Monbulk lost the rink 11 shots to 25.
Andy Smith’s team won nine ends, which should have pointed to a close game, but, once again, it was the clangers that made all the difference. Monbulk dropped two 3s, two 4s and a 6 and lost the rink 12 shots to 29.
Overall Monbulk lost 46 shots to 107 but they are still clinging onto third spot on the ladder. Next week, in the final round, they play against Mulgrave who are sitting just above. But, when you look at this season’s numbers, Mulgrave have won just one more game than Monbulk, and next week the game will be on Monbulk’s home ground. Finals are up for grabs.
Monbulk 3 played at home against Upwey-Tecoma.
Graeme Godkin’s team won only seven ends for the day and it’s very difficult to end up on top with so few scoring chances. But their wins included three 3s, a 4 and a big 6. So, even though they trailed several times, they always seemed to pull the rabbit out of the hat when it was needed. Monbulk won the rink 22 shots to 19.
Mike Harris’ team won a similar number of ends to Upwey but they led all day due to a 3 shotter and two massive 6 shotters. Monbulk won the last five ends to really make sure of the win. They won the rink 25 shots to 14.
Chris Sullivan’s team trailed for most of the front half but then turned the tables with a 7 shotter on the ninth end. Upwey crept back to level on the seventeenth end, but that’s when Monbulk pulled out another unbelievable 7 shotter. They were able to finish off the game with a win 28 shots to 19.
Overall Monbulk won 75 shots to 52 with all three rinks up. That puts Monbulk on top of the ladder with just one round to go. The top four spots are all close, so even though a finals berth is assured, Monbulk will have to perform well next week against Ringwood if they are to secure a home-ground final.
