SKIPPER Kevin Lee admits losing the final match of the Western District Bowls Association home-and-away season was not perfect preparation for Terang Green's finals campaign.
But the lawn bowler predicted the round 18 tussle against Timboon Gold would be a challenge.
The third-ranked side travelled to Timboon and was upset by the home side, 112 shots to 88.
"Going down there, I thought that it was going to be a danger game...Timboon is always good at home," Lee said.
Each of Terang's rinks were outclassed by sixth-placed Timboon.
Despite the division one ladder already confirmed before the final round match-ups, Lee conceded Timboon gave the visitors a wake-up call.
"It's a bit of a disaster not winning one rink going into the finals," he said. "But all we can do is regroup and go for it next weekend."
Lee said his rink was playing catch-up to Kelvin Rundle all day in the 24-21 shot loss.
"They got away to a fairly good start, but we got back," he said.
"We lost five shots on one end with only two ends to go. From there we came back two shots and ended up losing by three."
Lee attributed the three-shot defeat to Rundle's bowling precision.
"Their skipper did some great on-shots . It won the game for him," he said.
Daryl Wiggins continued Timboon's mass upset by defeating Charlie Duynhoven 30-22. Don Plozza was too good for Pat Reid 29-20 and Arthur Finch bowled over Jim Whitehead 29-25.
While the victors ended their season on a high, Terang progressed to this Saturday's semi-final battle against Dennington Red.
Lee said his side would be tough competition in the third-versus-fourth play-off.
"If we're at full strength, which I think we will be, then we will give them a run for their money," he said.
In other final round matches, City Memorial Gold defeated Port Fairy Red 111-96, Mortlake Blue toppled Warrnambool Blue 108-76, Warrnambool Gold overpowered City Memorial Green 149-74 and Dennington Red lost to City Memorial Red 105-85.