Midweek Pennant.
On one of the more difficult weather days in memory the Midweek bowlers battled away on Remembrance Day to complete their round 3 matches at home, and came away with 2 very satisfying and hard-fought wins against Lilydale in Division 1 and Mooroolbark in Division 3. Despite constant rain delays and including a couple of hail interjections on a bitterly cold day both matches were able to provide results using the maximum allocation of 5 hours allowed for play.
The Hawks top side (Division 1) were locked in a tight high standard battle for the entirety of the first half with scores level at the scheduled lunch break. However after the break the home side was able to slowly ware down the resolve of their opposition who should be commended for their resilience to draw clear and grab all 16 points on offer and pocketing a 23 shots difference.
Rob Wilson rink (28/12) grabbed the best numbers however the achievement of the Jim Bras rink (20/19) to snatch a one shot win on the line after being 7 shots down with only a few ends to go was a mighty effort. While Brian Smith (28/22) and his solid team of Jenny Holmes, Anne Ward and Rob Espernberger continue to quietly go about their work with a business-like win under wily skipper.
The 2nd side (Division 3) were never troubled on the overall scoreboard throughout the match jumping out to an early lead and dominating the opponents from start to finish. Seemingly the only impediment that might stand in between them and victory was the 4 seasons (minus summer) in one day weather that descended on the Monbulk greens. However the victory would ultimately be theirs with plenty of hot drinks and hand warmers to assist their efforts the second16 point haul was achieved for Monbulk Club that day.
Sadly, the 3rd side (Division 5) who were due to travel to Croydon for their round 3 contest were not able to get a game with the greens not being playable. The points were shared with a washout declared without a bowl being delivered. The side will look forward to a kinder weather day for their home contest against Chirnside Park in round 5.
Saturday Pennant.
Round 4 action might be best erased from the memory bank for the Monbulk top side ( Division 2) that played away at Fern Tree Gully. The undefeated Gully side went to work exploiting their home green conditions by taking a big 16 / 2 plus 56 shots victory to the bank and keeping that perfect record intact. No doubt there will be some constructive discussions had in the postmortem by the Hawks but there will be no shortage of motivation to bounce back in round 5 v Heathmont. The small ray of light from the day was a very impressive rink win by the Rob Wilson (22/16) Karen Wilson, Chris Clerici and Ray Pund played very well. The rinks of Eric Markham (11/33), Jim Bras (16/37) and Brian Smith (9/28) found the going tough against good opposition.
Team 2 (Division 5) was able to secure a solid home victory over the visiting Warburton. In 2 rinks up and 2 rinks down 14/4 points and 7 shots up contest the side combined well to hold out the visitors in a very close result. Coming down to the last few ends before the team could collectively breath out the Hawks 2nd 16 would be delighted with the win to slide them into the top 4 on the ladder. Peter Lee (30/15) who personally is in terrific form had plenty of help from his mates Martin “Grumpy” Williams, Rick Giurini, and a very impressive Klaus Eisele providing the bedrock for the overall side win. Don Barnetson (17/14) held on to be the other winning rink whilst the losing rinks of Graeme Seymour (18/26) and Graeme Goller (13/16 ) did their job of minimising the margins and joining in the celebrations.
Team 3 ( Division 8) the clubs newly minted addition to the Monbulk pennant sides provided the weekly headlines. The clubs Newbies did themselves and the club proud by racking up a substantial win against Ringwood. Highlighted by club Stalwart Yvonne Cowling (43/10) she piloting her rink of Graeme Godkin, David Creek, and Joh Casamento to an amazing 33 shot win. The players under Yvonne will have gained some valuable experience to take forward and a very enjoyable victory to go along with it. The happy days continued in the Michael Harris (21/12) rink with debutant Frank Mileto probably thinking how good is this. Brendan Griffiths rink (15/20) of Peter Dowsett, Tristan Berry, and Kelly Machin with a combined games count of under 10 between them produced a great effort and their beers would have tasted nice that night with the team winning 14/2 and 39 shots up overall.
