Port Fairy Red hosts Terang Green in what is shaping as a pivotal round of matches in the Western District Bowls Division Saturday pennant.

Lowe will skipper a rink for Port Fairy Red in what he expects to be another close encounter with a feisty Terang Green line-up.

“They beat us by one shot in round two when we played them at their green,” Lowe said.

“We always seem to have close games against Terang and it went their way last time and we hope it falls our way this time around.

“Playing at home is a big advantage, so hopefully we can make the most of this and get the win. I am quietly confident but it will be a tough day.”

Lowe is joined in the team by his son Neil, with both key players in the fortunes of a side  that was never in contention last season.

The return of Wayne Heard and Chris Fox to the greens this season has provided the team with a big boost, as has the recruitment of former Warrnambool division one player Troy King.   

Today’s game is a vital one for both teams, with Port Fairy Red in fourth place and Terang Green fifth.

While Terang Green would leapfrog Port Fairy Red if it wins, victory for the home team would not only consolidate its place in the top four but potentially lift it into third place.

Warrnambool Blue sits third but is facing a tough encounter when it travels to face second-placed City Memorial Red.

The other team which could shoot up the ladder is sixth- placed City Memorial Gold, which is  one point behind Terang Green and seven behind Port Fairy Red.

City Memorial Gold is expected to win its away game against bottom-of-the-ladder Warrnambool White.

If it wins well and Terang Green just gets over the line at Port Fairy, City Memorial Gold could leap as high as fourth place.

In other matches, seventh-placed Koroit Blue should keep its finals hopes alive when it hosts ninth-placed Timboon Gold, while top-of-the-ladder Warrnambool Gold is favoured to have a comfortable win at home over Dennington Red.