McNicoll will come up against Warrnambool club champion, and state squad member, Kellie Bowles in the first round of the knockout tournament at City Memorial Bowls Club on Sunday. 

“She’s a fair bit younger than me and is on the state squad,” McNicoll said. 

“I don’t like my chances, but you never know until the day. 

‘‘Bowls is very dependant on the conditions of the day.

“I’m just going out there to give it my best shot.” 

The champion of champions pits the nine men’s and women’s club champions against each other in a knockout style tournament. 

The remaining pair will play off on Australia Day for the division title. 

McNicoll said it was the third time she had made the division play-offs after making her way through the club championship play-offs unscathed. 

“We started off with 16 and worked our way down to the final two,” she said yesterday. 

“All of the games were challenging. One of the games came down to the last bowl. 

‘‘My opponent had the game pretty much won, but I snuck through at the end. 

“There were some new members who played really well which was great to see. 

“The club is competitive in Tuesday pennant and will only get stronger I think.” McNicoll said even though she didn’t rate her chances highly on Sunday, she thought it was important to play on. 

“I won through at the club level, so I think it’s important to play on at the next round and represent your club,” she said. 

“I can’t see me beating Kellie, but I’ll go out and play to my best ability on the day. 

“The most important thing is I’m representing my club.” 

McNicoll will play off against Bowles on Sunday morning for a spot in Sunday afternoon’s quarter finals. 

Terang’s Andrew Taylor will play Koroit’s Steven Quinlan for a spot in the mens’ quarter-finals. 

jwoolley@fairxmedia.com.au