CITY Memorial Gold skipper Ken Batten believes his side will make the most of its opportunities after sneaking into the Western District Bowls Division finals.
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It jumped from fifth to third on the back of the 103-70 final round win against Terang on Saturday.
City Memorial Gold and Terang entered the season-defining match in fifth and sixth positions respectively and ready to make one last charge at the top four.
Warrnambool Blue entered round 18 in fourth but a three-shot loss to clubmate Warrnambool Gold wrecked its finals chances.
Top two sides Warrnambool Gold and City Memorial Red will play off for a grand final spot next week, with the loser of that semi-final to play the winner of the third-versus-fourth showdown between City Memorial Gold and Timboon Gold.
City Memorial Gold won three of four rinks against Terang.
Gold’s Brian Square was the biggest winner, notching a 29-10 win over Charlie Duynhoven. Les Graham (24-17) and Max Dalton (32-20) were Gold’s other winning skippers.
Batten, whose rink lost 23-18 to Jamie Heffernan, credited even performances for City Gold’s finals tilt.
“It has been a long hard battle,” he said.
“It is always tough when you’re the second side in a club. You are always under the pump.”
Batten said Timboon Gold was a worthy finals opponent.
“We’re a rough chance against Timboon Gold away from their home ground,” he said.
“They are always hard to beat at home. It will be neck and neck.”
Batten said City Gold would have to overcome a major hurdle to win the division one crown.
“It’s possible but not likely,” he said.
“All year we’ve never beaten Warrnambool Gold or City Red.
If we got that far I think they would have the edge on us.
“But it is good to get this far.”
Warrnambool Blue’s season ended in heartache with an 89-86 loss to Warrnambool Gold, while Timboon Gold slipped from third to fourth with a shock 94-72 loss to Port Fairy Red. In other matches, Dennington Red finished on a positive note with a 95-86 win over Warrnambool White and City Memorial Red defeated wooden spooners Mortlake Blue 89-72.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au