Tara Murray
Werribee will take some time to settle on its line up for the new Bowls Victorian weekend pennant division 2, section 1 season.
A number of new players were given opportunities as the selectors looked at some different combinations in the opening round on Saturday.
The combinations didn’t quite click with the Bees losing the opener to Deer Park 2, 95 (14)-67 (4) at Deer Park.
Bees secretary Steve Weston said it wasn’t the start they were after. He admits though that Deer Park 2 are the favourites and a very strong team and hard to beat.
“We had two very close wins and two big losses,” he said. “We had a few new players in the side.
“Denis [Hewitt] has come down from the country, while we had a couple of players cross from Hoppers.
“We mixed the teams around, but it was a disappointing start to the season.”
Robert Smith (18-15) and Brendan Barker (23-21) were the winning skips for the Bees, while Robert Panton and Gavin Joyce skippered the losing rinks.
Weston said they had some new selectors this season who looked to mix the sides up early as they worked out their best line ups with all the new players.
After just missing finals last season, Weston said finals were the aim this season.
The club again has five Saturday sides from division 2 down to division 6. They also have four mid-week sides with action starting last week.
The top side this week faces Altona Sports at home in round two.
It was a big weekend for the club as on Sunday they celebrated their 100th birthday. The club hosted a lunch for about 160 people including local politicians and other dignitaries.
Weston said before the event they were looking forward to the day.
Meanwhile, Hoppers started its season with an 81 (16)-61 (2) loss to Yarraville Footscray 3 in division 2, section 1.
. Stephen Bartlett was the winning skip for Hoppers, winning 21-13. Gregory Berry, Vincent Gerace and Craig Timberlake were the losing skips.
Hoppers will face last season’s runners-up Keilor in round two.
In division 3, section 1, Palm Lake, which is based in Truganina, beat Newport, 104 (16)-77 (2), while Werribee 2 suffered a loss to Deer Park 3.
In division 4, section 1, Point Cook beat Altona 3, 90 (16)-63 (2), while Werribee 3 had a win in that same section.
