Werribee clicked into survival mode in division 1 of Bowls Victoria pennant on Saturday.
The Bees came back from the dead on two fronts to give their season a much-needed boost in the first game of the new year.
They overturned a massive 20-shot deficit for a stunning come-from-behind 91-80 win over Preston-Reservoir at Chirnside Park, which also resuscitated their season at a time when the threat of relegation was beginning to get real.
Bees skip Snowy Barker was just happy to be able to experience the thrill of winning for the first time since October 24 and for only the third time in the season.
“It’s been a long time between drinks,” he told Star Weekly.
“I can’t remember how many losses we’ve had; it’s been that long, it’s been unbelievable. We’re looking in the eye of relegation and it was never on my radar at the start of the year.”
Barker admits the Bees “stole victory from the jaws of defeat” and was proud of his players’ willingness to fight with their backs against the wall.
“Twenty shots down at half-time, I thought ‘Hell, not again’,” he said.
“For the boys to lift and turn it all around was very good.”
What it gives Werribee is hope. They’re no longer in the bottom two, having jumped up two spots to fourth-last on the back of the win.
They remembered how to win after suffering so many close losses in that harrowing seven-game losing streak.
“If we can carry that momentum into next week, I’m sure it will stand us in good stead,” Bees skip Anthony Briggs said.
“The reality was, we had gone 11 weeks minus [only] 25 shots with two wins. That says that we’ve been in every game but have had those narrow losses.
“That’s the difference between being successful and where we are now.”
It was Briggs’ rink that gave the Bees a heartbeat when all appeared lost.
They won in a canter 35-9 to ensure a successful defence of their home turf.
“I’ve got a consistent rink overall that contribute every end, so no complaints at all,” Briggs said.
“But I thought Dion [Warnecke] was a standout.
“He gives me the ability to just step to the mat and just add, which, from a skipper’s point of view, is good.”
Werribee will travel to fifth-placed Altona Sports in the 13th round on Saturday.
