The Grampians Bowls Division Saturday pennant grand final is drawing closer with the division one and two preliminary finals to be played on Saturday.
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The division one match will be played between Lake Bolac and Chalambar with the two teams looking evenly matched on paper.
Both teams have quality across the group and it will likely come down to who can adapt to the conditions quickest with showers and wind expected across the day.
Blustery conditions can be hard to combat, particularly given the match will be played at Ararat V.R.I. Bowls Club which is slightly elevated and catches every little bit of wind.
The Match next week between Lake Bolac and Chalambar hard to pick a favourite with both teams capable of getting the win and progressing through to the grand final to face Stawell.
Ian and Jon Park will be critical to Lake Bolac’s hopes of moving on to the season deciding clash.
The team which takes its chances when they present themselves will extend its season for an extra week with the match set to be a close contest.
In the division two preliminary final, it will be Stawell Gold and Ararat V.R.I. doing battle for a spot in the season decider.
It is an intriguing match with the winning team set to square off against the Stawell Blue team in the division two grand final next week.
The two teams will take to the green at Chalambar knowing each squad’s best is capable of securing the victory but finals pressure can play a significant part in causing errors during the matches.
John Vanraaphorst led his team well in the V.R.I.’s win against Lake Bolac Black last week and will no doubt be hoping he can carry that form into this weekend’s match.
It will be a good test for how both teams can handle finals pressure in a cut-throat match with the winner going into an even higher pressured match-up next Saturday.
The Chalambar green is a bit more shielded from the wind, so players may have less issues to deal with regarding the weather but it remains to be seen who can play the speed of the venue well enough to finish as the winners.
The grand final venues for both divisions will be announced following the results of the preliminary finals to ensure the season deciders are played at neutral venues.
The two preliminary final matches are scheduled to start at the usual time of 1pm at both venues.
