Pressure builds for Ocean Grove
OCEAN Grove captain Tony Joel has implored his playing group to raise its performance to the next level ahead of tomorrow’s crack match with Sebastopol.
The undefeated powerhouse has been dominant through six matches this summer, boasting a score difference of 133 in its favour.
But Sebastopol is chasing from third and Joel knows his side can’t rest on its laurels.
“We have to be happy with what we have achieved in the first six games, however we cannot afford to be satisfied, the competition is clearly very even this year,” Joel said.
With very little separating teams ranked fourth to eighth on the ladder, Joel said it was important for his side to raise the bar even higher.
“We have a big fortnight ahead with Sebastopol at home tomorrow, Bareena and Queenscliff to come. If we get complacent, our good work in the first six games comes undone,” he said.
The next month is defining for Ocean Grove.
Bareena is quality, Sebastopol is Ballarat’s leading contender and then you throw the reigning premier Queenscliff in for good measure.
“What a great opportunity for our playing group to set up the first half of the season,” Joel said.
Sebastopol bowls co-ordi- nator Rob Baker hopes his side’s run of form at home continues as they set their sights on returning with some points.
“We need to step up and win a big away game; tomorrow will be a big challenge for us,” Baker said.
“We won’t declare ourselves as ‘in form’ until we can do that.”
Sebastopol’s newest recruit James Oliver will miss tomorrow’s match while in the home side Callum Hanna will be replaced with Peter Jolley, who steps up for his first Premier Division match of the season.
Queenscliff will journey to Webbcona and aim to win its first match this year in Ballarat, while Eastern Park will host City of Geelong with both teams keen to add some much needed points.
BMS will hope its home ground advantage is enough when it meets Bareena while Lara should be too good at home against Victoria.
SEBASTOPOL BOWLS CO- ORDINATOR ROB BAKER ‘We need to step up and win a big away game’