By Jack Rollings
Saturday pennant.
The final home and away round. The weather was warm, sunny, no wind. You couldn’t have ordered a better day for bowling.
Monbulk 1 travelled down the road to Upwey-Tecoma. Monbulk was sitting fifth on the ladder, hoping for a big win, and some other matches to go against the odds, in order to break through to a finals berth with this one last chance.
Their opponents? Upwey-Tecoma followed their own script, and they were never going to give up any points without a battle.
Jim Bras’ team had a game of two very different halves. Monbulk struggled in the first half, giving up two 3s and a 5. At the halfway mark they trailed by 8 shots. After the break Monbulk picked up an early 3, then not long after another 3, then another 3, to trail by just 3 shots with five ends to go. The race home was close, but Upwey managed to hold onto their lead. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 21.
Tony French’s team also struggled early, winning only three singles in the front half. After the break they strung a few wins together to reduce the margin to 3 shots. With three ends to go, it all seemed possible. But Upwey then stamped their authority and picked up 8 shots over those final ends to dash the Monbulk hopes.
Monbulk lost the rink 11 shots to 21.
Brian Smith’s team was the one winning rink for Monbulk. They may not have won as many ends, but their wins included two 3s and a 4, while, in a disciplined performance, they gave away not even a single clanger.
Monbulk won the rink 19 shots to 15.
Eric Markham’s team was also under pressure in the front half, managing only one winning end for a single shot, and trailing by 23 shots. Several damaging Monbulk clangers made the opposition scores progress rapidly.
In the run home Monbulk picked up some good multiples to jump into double figures and then into the twenties, but it wasn’t enough to catch Upwey-Tecoma.
Monbulk lost the rink 21 shots to 37.
Overall, it was a convincing loss for the Monbulk top side, 68 shots to 94, with only one rink up.
They finished the season in fifth place, out of the finals, but well clear of being relegated to a lower division.
However, with seven wins, six losses, and a draw, there are several positives to take from this season. They will lick their wounds and be a stronger and better side next season.
Monbulk 2 played at home against Mulgrave Country Club 5.
Andy Smith’s team got the early jump and led by 9 shots going into the seventh end. Then the Mulgrave bowlers adapted to the green and put a few wins together, to lead by 4 shots with just two ends to go. Monbulk responded with a 3 shotter, then a single, to force the draw, 17 shots all.
Don Barnetson’s team also dominated in the front half and even led by 12 shots going into the eighth end. But Mulgrave came back stronger after the break and picked up some multiples to take the lead. With three ends to go, Monbulk trailed by 2 shots, but they steadied and took those final ends to win the rink 22 shots to 20.
Case Broekhof’s team had a dingdong battle for most of the day, with multiples won by both sides and several lead changes. Then, in the run home, Monbulk took control, winning the final seven ends and taking the rink 32 shots to 16.
Graeme Goller’s team kept their opponents to just two wins in the front half and led by 8 shots. Mulgrave came back stronger after the break and won more ends than Monbulk, but they couldn’t quite bridge the gap. Monbulk held on and won the rink 17 shots to 14.
Overall Monbulk won the round 88 shots to 67 with three winning rinks and a draw. This means they end the home and away season on top of the ladder, with eight wins, four losses and two draws. And it also means that Monbulk gains the double chance and a home-ground final next week.
Monbulk 3 played away against Ringwood.
Graeme Godkin’s team was up by 6 shots at the halfway mark and had dropped only four ends. After the break, Ringwood won six ends in a row, to catch up and then put their noses in front. But Monbulk rallied and put together some big wins in sight of the finish.
They won the rink 23 shots to 16.
Chris Sullivan’s team led all day. They picked up a couple of good multiples and they didn’t drop a single clanger. It was a strong performance. They won the rink 23 shots to 15.
Mike Harris’ team suffered some early big losses and trailed by 12 shots going into the sixth end. Then they staged a comeback over a few ends and reduced the margin to 4. In the back half both teams traded blows with Ringwood managing to keep in front.
Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 24.
Overall Monbulk won the round 61 shots to 55 with two rinks up. They have finished on top of the ladder with eight wins, four losses, a draw and a bye. Next week they will play a home-ground final, knowing they also have the double chance.
So, next Saturday, from 1pm, there will be two Monbulk sides playing semi-finals at Monbulk.
That’s a great result for the Monbulk club…so far. Let’s hope there’s still more successes to wring out of this season.
