But by the end of their Western District Bowls Division Champion of Champions singles match at a windswept Mortlake Bowls Club on Saturday it was the underdog who would progress through to next Sunday's semi-final.

Fleming handled the gusty conditions better than her opponent to prevail 25-17 and keep herself alive in the first-to-25 knockout tournament.

"Gill is a very good player and I didn't give myself any chance against Gill because I have been playing division three," the two-time Terang club champion said.

"But I think I was very lucky today. Some of the others playing are excellent bowlers and they seem to be in a better class."

In the other women's matches Dennington's Polly Rabl defeated Port Fairy's Pam Gibbs to progress to the semi-final. Earlier in the day Rabl overcame City Memorial's Julie Dosser to book her match with Gibbs.

Mortlake's Marjery Whitson and Lawn Tennis' Dorthory Kile also progressed after defeating Koroit's Jan Morgan and Warrnambool's Brenda Hawker respectively.

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In the men's draw Terang's Kevin Johnson edged out Lawn Tennis' Peter Verdon in a thrilling one-shot victory.

Port Fairy's Nick Seekamp was too strong for Dennington's Neville Swanson, claiming a 14-shot victory.

City Memorial's David Wells, who is one of the favourites to take out the overall win in the men's draw, ensured he stayed alive in the championship after defeating Warrnambool's Kevin Boyd and Mortlake's David McNicoll in his two matches on Saturday.

Timboon's Arthur Finch survived a thrilling 25-23 encounter with Koroit's Blackie Lenehan to progress to the semi-finals.

The winners of next week's finals will represent the WDBD at the regionals at City Memorial in February.

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