FINALS has virtually come a week early for Warrnambool and District Ladies Bowling Association (WDBLA), with three season-deciding matches to be contested today.
City Memorial Green is sitting fourth heading into today's last home-and-away round but Port Fairy is looking to snatch its spot.
A City Green loss to Warrnambool Gold, coupled with a win to Port Fairy over Lawn Tennis, would see City kicked out of the four and Port take its place.
Port Fairy's Jenny Blackmore said her team would be fielding a different line-up as regular players Liz Mercovich, Gill Phillips and Sue Gavin were unavailable.
"One of our newer bowlers who hasn't played pennant before is going to play, Vicki Lovell," Blackmore said.
"We didn't want to upset our lower divisions by bringing ladies up so we've got two men in as well.
"They should fit in quite well."
Blackmore revealed she was quietly confident that the results Port Fairy needed today would eventuate.
"Lawn Tennis are a very hard team to beat but we're playing them at our own green, so that should give us a bit of an edge," she said. "When we played them at Lawn they beat us.
"We'll need to concentrate and just play some good bowls."
Today will mark the first WDLBA game back since the Christmas-New Year break after last week's round was washed out.
"It was disappointing we didn't get a chance to play but we couldn't have played in those conditions," said Blackmore, who was promoted to division one this season.
"It's a bit more challenging than division two but I enjoy it." The St Helens resident took up bowling more than a decade ago.
"My husband couldn't play cricket any more and started bowls," she recalled.
"My daughter said to me, 'Mum, if you don't go and play with him, you'll get left behind'.
"I went to see what it was all about and to see what he was talking about and ended up quite liking it."
Another crunch game will be played between Timboon and Warrnambool Blue today.
The loser of the match will be relegated to division two next season.
The remaining encounter sees ladder-leader City Memorial Gold and third-ranked Terang tussle in what could be a sneak peak of a finals game.
Division two matches will also be hotly-contested today.
While City Memorial Blue, Dennington and Warrnambool are guaranteed a finals appearance, there is a five-horse race for the last finals spot.
The remaining teams - City Pink, Terang, St John's, Timboon and Port Fairy - all have a chance of sneaking into the four.