WERRIBEE is looking forward to returning to the Hive after successive road losses in the Bowls Victoria premier division.
The Bees were totally outplayed in an 82-60 defeat to Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday, a result that magnified the quality of the players who left in the off-season.
Bees skip Snowy Barker told the Weekly his side could not afford to be even slightly off its game like it was at the weekend.
“With the players we’ve got, we’ve got to play really well every week to be competitive,” he said.
“We’re not as strong a team as we have been, so we’ve really got to lift.
“We were a bit disappointing.”
Members of Barker’s rink will have a long self-assessment this week.
Their form has been patchy at best with a 31-12 loss underlining their problems.
“Our rink was one of the worst offenders,” Barker said. “We got beaten in every position.
“None of us played well in our four.
“I’m one of the blokes, as a leader of the club, that has to lift and play better.”
Darren Christie was also soundly beaten 23-14.
Mick O’Neil, one of the better rinks of the young season, lost 16-15 on a thrilling last end.
It was not all gloom and doom for the Bees, as Ben Major continued his good form with a 19-12 win.
“He’s taken his game to another level,” Barker said. “He seems to be skipping a lot better than last time he was at the club.”
One of the positives in the opening month for the Bees has been the form of Jayden Christie.
The 14-year-old was recently named in an under-18 state representative side and showed why in his steady performance against the Bombers.
“He’s stood up and been really good,” Barker said.
“[Playing in senior competition] doesn’t seem to faze him at all.
“He’s taken it in his stride.”
The Bees will entertain Clayton in a tough fourth round at Chirnside Park on Saturday.
The Clays will bring a star-studded line-up led by Australian representative Barrie Lester and Scotland indoor bowls star Graeme Archer, who will relish the synthetic surface at the Hive.
“He’s ranked about ninth in the world in indoor bowls,” Barker said.
“It’ll be good to have a crack at him.
“It’s another big challenge this week.”
BOWLS VICTORIA RESULTS
Premier division: Essendon 16-82 Werribee 2-60
Division 2: Hoppers 2-64 Melton 16-76
