The Bears defeated rival premier league newcomer Lara 90-80 in a tight tussle at home on Saturday.

Skippers Greg Roberts and John Glenton sealed the win, with their two rinks pulling back 38 shots on their respective opponents after the lunch break.

“It was a good win for the club,” Bears skipper Col Wright said.

“Any win is a good win at this stage of the year, but to get that first win is important.

“We were keen to make amends against Lara after just losing to Victoria and getting touched up last week (in the opening two rounds).”

Lara entered the afternoon tea break with a three-shot lead, with Central Wendouree’s Roberts 13-2 down and Glenton 13-6 down.

Roberts’ four rebounded in the second half, defeating Leigh Butcher 22-18, while Glenton held Robert Smith’s rink scoreless for a 24-14 trouncing.

Col Wright’s team ground out a 21-21 draw against James Derham, while Col Johnson’s rink was the only one tsealo suffer a loss, going down to John O’Donnell’s four 28-23.

Wright says the side is beginning to adjust to the standard of premier division bowls after a successful season in the Ballarat District Bowls Division’s top tier, and believes the Bears are a genuine chance to push Geelong West all the way next round.

“People get a bit demoralised after constant losses, but all the guys in that side have played premier before and the team last year in division one gelled really well,” he said.

“In past years we’ve matched up well and played pretty well against them.

“Still got some improvement, but we can certainly match it with most of the teams.”

In other results, Queenscliff knocked flag favourite Ocean Grove off its perch for the second year running with a 105-93 win.

Geelong West won out in a tight one over Sebastopol, 102-93, Bareena defeated Victoria 89-88, while Webbcona remains the only winless side after a 96-82 loss to Bareena.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au