DENNINGTON Red is thriving after finding the most important ingredient for success – belief.
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The much-improved Western District Bowls Division outfit is chasing a finals berth after a plucky start to its 2016-17 campaign.
Dennington Red sits equal fifth on points with City Memorial Gold after accounting for Warrnambool Blue on Saturday.
Skipper Darren King said dedication played a key role in the side’s rise.
“They are all going in believing we can win now and that helps,” he said.
“We have a couple of handy bowlers in division two who can step up if we need.
“It is good to have a little bit of depth. We have 11 new players all up, we had a little bit of coaching at the start of the year and are getting good numbers to practice on Thursday nights and it’s made a lot of difference.”
King said Dennington Red’s 102-81 triumph over Warrnambool Blue was a great response to its loss to fellow top-four contender Timboon Gold the previous round.
“Hopefully that loss doesn’t come back to bite us,” he said.
“That fourth spot is open to three or four sides and we are one of them in the mix.
“It’s been a pretty good start for us with four wins. Last year we had none in the first six rounds and now we’re four out of seven, so it’s given us something to build on after Christmas.”
Dennington Red, which plays City Memorial Gold and Koroit Blue before the break, won three of four rinks against Warrnambool Blue.
King led his side to a 32-15 victory over Ian Hatfield and Anthony Kelly (21-19) and Maureen Drennan (26-18) also scored wins.
Glen McNaughton scored Warrnambool Blue’s sole triumph, downing Peter Ellis’ team 29-23.
“We got off to a good start in most rinks but a couple of games were see-sawing all day,” King said.
In other round seven games, Timboon Gold accounted for Mortlake Blue 93-79, Koroit Blue edged out City Memorial Gold 109-91, City Memorial Red trounced Terang Green 101-65, Warrnambool Gold dismantled clubmate Warrnambool White 155-50 and Port Fairy Red was too strong for Lawn Tennis Red 103-73.
A bye is scheduled for next weekend to accommodate the pairs championships.