MANY skippers would be daunted to come up against Terang Bowls Club stalwart Kevin Lee for the first time, but not Dennington's Barry Crimmin.
It was a challenge he was looking forward to.
His rink rose to the occasion in the Western District Bowls Association first semi-final on Saturday, recording a 28-16 win.
Dennington could not have asked for a better performance as it triumphed in every rink to end Terang's season.
"We were confident but we knew that Terang had played well all season and that they had taken it up to the top-two sides," Crimmin said.
"They beat Warrnambool and pushed City so they had bowled very well.
"The biggest surprise was us winning all four rinks."
Dennington thrashed Terang Green 123-80.
Ian Quigley and John Murnane both won by 15 shots, while Peter Neal's rink edged out Charlie Duynhoven by three shots on the last end.
"There's been a lot of criticism of selectors," Crimmin admitted.
"I think there's been 15 changes in the last two weeks.
"They've tweaked the rinks a bit but now everybody's gelling together."
Dennington will meet City Memorial Red in the preliminary final after it went down to Warrnambool Gold 100-95 in the second semi on Saturday.
"After playing for years, I can only ever remember beating them once," Crimmin said of City Red.
"They're strong in every rink. I think the main focus will be a good start from our leaders."
Warrnambool Gold's victorious rinks on Saturday were Kevin Boyd, whose team defeated Peter Pangrazio 24-18, and John Leishman, who overcome Kevin McMahon 29-22.
City's Ray Hoy recorded a four-shot victory over Brian "Blackie" Lenehan while Peter Maddern, defeated Paul O'Donnell 27-23.
In division two, Koroit Blue catapulted itself into the grand final with a two-shot victory over Dennington White, while Warrnambool White's season came to an end after losing to Penshurst White 71-61.
Dennington Blue took the easiest avenue into the division three grand final with a convincing 74-53 victory over Warrnambool Green.
Warrnambool Green will clash with St John's Gold in the preliminary final after it toppled Warrnambool Orange 73-66 in the first semi.
The division four W grand finalists have been decided, with Port Fairy Black and City Memorial Orange to play off.
The former defeated Koroit Green 64-34, while the latter edged out Warrnambool Yellow 44-42.
The division four E grand final will be played between Koroit White and Warrnambool Maroon.
Maroon beat Dennington Black 55-40 while Koroit toppled Timboon Red 63-32.
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