After closing the book on 2025 with plenty of momentum the Monbulk Bowling club were keen to set in place some positive energy to kick start the back half of the season. This was achieved in style during the break firstly by Jenny Holmes who represented in the ladies Eastern Region side that took to the greens in Ballarat as part of the State Regions sides Championships. The Eastern Region team performed well, however Jenny did herself and the club proud by performing brilliantly well personally and playing in an undefeated side.
The Notable Region performances continued for the club but this time at the development end of the club by our newer bowlers. The club is excited to have introduced a number of new bowlers to our pennant ranks this season and even more excited to have 6 of those bowlers represent the club in the Region novice championships. John Casamento, Tristan Berry, Peter Higgins, Ray Aarts, Mark Johnson and Louise Thomas all stepped up and participated in the singles. Excitingly Louise managed to win her way through to the Semi Finals of the ladies section and although going down she produced a great fighting effort for a player that has only been playing bowls for a handful of months.
Midweek Pennant Round 9
Team 1 Division 1
The Monbulk top side took to the green at home against Donvale with a point to prove, after having been beaten convincingly earlier in the season revenge was sweet in their 14/2 69/55 win. Jim Bras (25/14) was at his damaging best being supported by Jim Anderson and Greg Myers who had great games that rink was too good. As was Brian Smith (28/16) rink, Brian no doubt appreciated the fine form of Eric Markham in his dominating performance against the visitors. Rob Wilson (16/25) was unable to join the winners list but was happy to help celebrate the first up team win, and the move to 2nd position on the ladder.
Team 2 Division 3
Also finding some early 2026 form was the Hawks 2nd team that welcomed Chirnside Park to Monbulk. However making their visiting opponents feel anything but welcome the rink of Ray Pike (31/11) Don Barnetson, Andrew Mackie and Ray Aarts delivered a resounding result. Graeme Goller (26/12) Margaret Obrien, Ray Pund and Peter Koomen were also too good for their opposition. Andrew Smith (17/12) was the only losing combination going down in a close one. That fantastic 14/2 74/44 win against the previously top side in Chirnside Park has Monbulk grabbing that number 1 spot on the ladder.
Team 3 Division 5
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be a clean sweep to start the year for the Midweek Hawks as the clubs 3rd side came up against a very formidable side on their own deck. But despite not taking away any points from the contest our very impressive team produced a strong performance in their loss against the second placed and highly fancied Ringwood. Bruce Cockerill (14/24) fought hard as did Graeme Seymour (9/25) and Mike Harris (13/27) but a loss to a better side on the day ensued 0/16 33/76. The team is placed 6th on the ladder after round 9.
Saturday Pennant Round 10
Team 1 Division 2
Coming up against the ladder leaders Mooroolbark this was always going to be a tough assignment for the Monbulk 1st team. In tricky conditions at Monbulk with the wind making life hard for the players a good start was required to put the visitors under pressure, however that quick start did not eventuate with the Barkers acclimatising faster scooting out to a 17-shot lead and maintaining that to the break. Monbulk full of steel and determination came out from the break well, pulling the margin back to as close as 5 shots on the overall board close to the end, however Mooroolbark just had too much poise when the game was up for grabs, and the visitors were to come away with victory. Monbulk will rue their slow and loss 1/17 65/80 in a game that was there for the taking. Brian Smith (16/16) produced the only point for the game in his exciting draw. Jim Bras (18/22) Shaun Wilson, Irma Turner, Tony French produced a great performance despite losing against Frank Limb who is possibly the best player in the grade. Dion Addison (19/21) went to the wire against his opponent to ultimately get beaten, Dion and his Rink of Jenny Holmes, Rob Espernberger, and Kylie Bailey would be disappointed but should be proud. Rob Wilson (12/21)rink just could not get the contest to go their way throughout, however Ray Pund in his lead position was outstanding in his role.
Team 2 Division 5
Sitting 3rd on the ladder the Monbulk 2nd 16 travelled down to the flat lands to play the lower placed Vermont South. Never easy playing away from home on an unfamiliar green but coupled with unfriendly winds making life hard and a motivated opposition desperate for a win this was a potential banana peel in the making. But despite the inevitable slip the team managed to keep their balance to come away with the chocolates 12/6 83/77. And it’s fair to say most of those chocolates were being eaten by the architect of the win that being the only winning rink of Calvin Connell (23/9) Graeme Goller, Peter Higgins, and Norma Clerke. A great performance and they should be rightly proud. But in all team sorts it takes a whole of team performance to win and no doubt despite the other 3 rinks going down the fact that all 3 of those losses were close and that minimising of their defeats helped complete the winning aquation. Case Broekhof (24/27), Andrew Smith (18/21), Mark “Candles”Hoefer (18/20) well done.
Team 3 Division 8
Playing at home against the amalgamated side of Chirnside Park / Eastwood Golf the 3rd side carried out a demolition job on the visiting opposition 16/0 91/40. Having taken some pain early in the season themselves this newly formed Monbulk side were happy to make the most of their improving form and inflicted some pain of their own on the visitors. Mike Harris ( 47/8) winning performance was seriously brutal in his one-sided thrashing. Mike and his team of Graeme Godkin, Kaye Lee, and Kelly Machin were magnificent in their win with the 39 shots margin being the biggest winning margin of any rink for the club this season. Seemingly paling into to insignificance the Frank Mileto (26/15) win was anything but with Brendan Griffiths, Peter Dowsett, and Louis Thomas inflicting their own brand of discomfort on the opposition. Rounding out the full collection of points for the day Ron Bishop (18/17) rink they did their job and will be well pleased to be part of the big win.
4 out of 6 wins for the week was not a bad haul for the Hawks this week, to kick off the new Year.
