SEBASTOPOL skipper Rob Baker admits his side might have taken premier division newcomers Torquay too lightly.
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The Kookaburras snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on Saturday, sneaking home to win 92-88 in round one of Ballarat-Geelong Premier Division bowls competition.
However, it was a little too close for comfort for Baker and co, which managed to scrape together a victory despite winning just one of four rinks for the day.
“I think we underestimated them, being the new side in the competition and it nearly came back to bite us,” Baker said.
In the early stages it looked as though Sebastopol was well on the way to a first-up defeat.
I think we underestimated them, being the new side in the competition and it nearly came back to bite us."
- Sebastopol skipper Rob Baker
Trailing by as much as 19 shots throughout the match, the season opener was shaping up as one to forget.
Even with just six ends remaining for each rink, 19 shots still separated the two sides. However, the Burras rallied on their home deck, hitting the lead with just four ends remaining to hold on to the unlikely victory.
“It was very lucky,” Baker said. “I think we got out of jail in the end.
“Torquay is a side that is used to winning, they won 20 matches in division one last year. I said before the game we couldn’t afford to take them likely but I don’t know if that happened.”
The match was played on Sebastopol’s grassed green, despite its new $1 million cover of its new synthetic surface being ready to go.
And Baker predicted that would likely be the scenario all season.
“We tend to think that clubs should play their premier bowls on their best green so we will probably be doing that all season,” he said.
“We will aim to be playing on the grass every week.”
It is likely the cover will predominantly be used by lower divisions throughout the season, although Baker said there would have to be further discussion if weather threatens to cancel a match.
He also hinted at the possibility of a night match throughout the season, labeling it a “50-50” chance.
In other premier division matches in the opening round, reigning premier Ocean Grove stamped its absolute authority with a thumping 83-shot demolition of Avenue. It was hardly the ideal start for the Bacchus Marsh side, which could be in for a long summer after the 141-58 result.
Elsewhere, premier division newcomers City Oval were far from embarrassed, but still went down to last year’s runner-up, Victoria.
The Vics proved too classy in the end, with Brenton Coad and Barry Clark recording impressive victories for their respective rinks to steer their side to a 20-shot triumph. Webbcona also saluted against Lara, winning three out if its four rinks en-route to a 113-100 win.
Results for the all-Geelong clash between Queenscliff and Geelong City were not submitted.