Werribee has embraced its underdog tag in the Premier Bowls Pennant competition so far this season. 76328_01 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By LIAM TWOMEY
MANY were predicting an uphill battle at the start of the season however, it has been anything but for Werribee in the Premier Bowls Competition.
After losing star trio Dane McKinnon, Brett Dodd and David Zitter, the Bees have proved the doubters wrong and again look to be a threat on the greens.
After five rounds the club has a 2-3 win/loss record, a far stretch from holding relegation favouritism on the eve of the season.
Despite dropping a game on Saturday to Melbourne, club president Jim Rayner was delighted with the start his players had made and said it was all down to hard work.
“We are pretty pleased with the start given the doom and gloom that was said that we would be finishing 11th and all that sort of stuff,” Rayner said.
“From what I have seen the premier side’s determination has just been really good. The concentration and support for one another when they are playing has just been great to see.”
So far Werribee has claimed the impressive scalps of Bundoora RSL and Clayton with the latter being an early contender for upset of the season.
While the loss of star players hit the club hard, the Bees did manage to add Ben Major and Tasmanian Rob Panton to the playing group.
Both have been standouts through the early rounds.
“Benny Major has been playing sensationally and Snowy Barker against Clayton played a magnificent game and the other two skippers have been doing very well indeed,” Rayner said.
“This is all against mighty opposition mind you. (Against Clayton) there were state champions and Scottish Champions in among them.
“Rob has been a very good inclusion in the side as well and all the rest of the guys have sort of lifted too.
“They are all just regular bowlers and players who have really lifted their games to another level. It is great to see.”
