Week one of the 2025/26 Saturday Bowls pennant season got under way this weekend with Monbulk clubs top 2 teams getting into action, team 3 will need to cool their heels for one more week as they had a bye.
Team 1 (division 2) headed away to Croydon in cool conditions to play in what would be a fluctuating encounter, one which ultimately went the way of the home side in a close game decided on the last end of the day.
Monbulk got away to a slow start in the first few ends trailing by 8 shots after 15 ends however they steadied the ship to even up the game over the next 10 ends and turn the match into an arm wrestle.
Through the middle stages of the match once again Croydon started to get back on top to stretch their lead out to 14 with 10 ends to play.
The assignment was appearing tough when Monbulk showed great character to fight back over the closing stages winning ends late and sending the game to the wire eventually losing by 2 shots.
The team will have to be content with banking 4 rink points on the back of wins by Jim Bras (23 -12) and Rob Wilson (26-8). Anne Ward, Rob Espenburger, Chris Clerici and Ray Pund in his first game for the club playing well to help their respective rinks secure their 2 points each. Rinks led by Brian Smith (13-27) and Eric Markham (13 -30) had tougher days against opposition that quite clearly played their home conditions better.
Team 2 (Division 5) Played their first game at home against Eastwood Golf and were able to present a better set of figures with a mighty performance delivering the clubs first win for Season 25/26.
The team won 3 rinks and had a margin of 35 shots up overall to get their campaign off to a great start. Rink winners Andy Smith (36-8), Graeme Goller (21-8), Ivan Baric (24-22) will be delighted with the support received from players. Norma Clerke, Martin ‘Grumpy’ Williams, Klaus Eisele, were notable
performers in their rink wins.
The losing rink led by Don Barnetson (12-20) were in their game for most of the game with Jimmy Anderson performing well however they couldn’t finish the job succumbing late.
Next week Team 1 will host Lilydale, Team 2 will travel to Mooroolbark, and the club’s new inclusion Team 3 Division 8 will be playing their first game.
