Werribee has put a tumultuous off season behind it to open the new Bowls Victoria division 1 season with a stirring win.
The new-look Bees overcame Darebin City 74-70 in a thriller at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
Bees committee chairperson Steve Weston was delighted with the come-from-behind win.
“The boys showed great spirit and a good work effort to take the points,” he said.
“After a slow start and being well behind at the afternoon tea break, the boys re-focused, rallied strongly and applied real pressure to our opposition and came back into the winning arena.”
Werribee entered the season having lost the core of its on-green leadership in the
off season.
All four of the regular Bees’ skips from last season crossed to Altona, leaving the team light on for experience.
Two other players departed, one trying his hand in premier division and another retiring.
But the Bees found some willing new leaders in Peter Williams, Graeme McNaughton, Peter Yasar and Rob Smith, who took on the role of skips in the season opener.
The Smith (up 10) and Yasar (up 2) rinks won on the day, while Williams finished down seven and McNaughton was pipped by one.
Werribee took out two of the four rinks, picking up 14 of a possible 18 points for a strong start to the season.
“This first-round win shows Werribee has the capabilities to mix with the best in
division 1 this season,” Weston said.
Werribee will travel to play Fitzroy Victoria, a first-up loser, in the second round on Saturday.
Lance Jenkinson
