AFTER failing to make the finals last year, Port Fairy has stepped out of the shadows and become the dominant force in Tuesday pennant bowls. 
Finishing the season on top of the ladder with 99 points, it returns to the finals arena today, taking on second-placed Warrnambool Gold at Dennington. 
The reason for the dominance is something skipper Kay Miller, who’s rink hasn’t dropped a game all season, can’t put her finger on. 
“The teams haven’t changed all that much from last year,” she said. 
“Most of the sides from the club, be it Tuesday or Saturday pennant, are in the four. 
“I think for too long everyone has thought we weren’t good enough to be playing at that level.
“But I think that has changed this year for whatever reason. Everyone has put that little bit of extra effort in this season.” 
Today’s opponent Warrnambool Gold is the same team that beat Port Fairy in last week’s final round by just four points. They play today on neutral ground at Dennington. 
But Miller said the location would make little difference. “We beat them in Warrnambool in round seven and then they beat us in Port Fairy last week,” she said. 
“It could go either way. I reckon they will come out a bit faster than last week. 
“We have got to be on the ball and everyone needs to play their best shots. If we get down on the scoreboard, we can’t get down on ourselves. 
“The tough time comes now, everyone steps up. The test is how we handle ourselves.” 
Warrnambool Gold skipper Brenda Hawker said the team was confident ahead of the match. 
“I think we are in with a chance. We beat them last week so hopefully we can do it again,” she said. 
“I think we need to be consistent, we need to get some bowls in the head and everybody needs to put in. 
“Our games against them have been nip-and-tuck all season, so you never know until the day.” 
Port Fairy has played in finals over the past few years, but has never made it past the first round. 
“I think it will really boost the club if we could go through,” Miller said. 
“It was great to see Terang break through last year. Smaller clubs like ours often find it hard to compete. It’s an exciting time at the club, but the tough work comes now.”