Windang were Illawarra's most successful Pennant club in 2014, with their Grade 2 side winning the flag and promotion to Grade 1 in 2015, plus the Grade 6 side triumphant.

In Grade 6 Windang beat Figtree RSL 57-55 in one of the best grand finals of any grade, with the match decided on the last end with the last bowl.

Figtree RSL just missed with a shot to win the title, leaving Windang to celebrate as Zone 16 champions.

Windang club selector Jim Wolter said the path to the pennant flag was a "rocky" one but the team began their run with wins in their final two competition rounds to seal the minor premiership, then beat Dapto in their semi-final.

The grand final had more than a few heart palpitations for both teams, including for Windang skip Ken Forbes, who was on the green playing the final end of the match.

"It could have gone either way and we were a bit lucky really," said Forbes, who is also into his sixth year as Illawarra Zone 16 president.

Graham Smith's Windang rink had a crucial 20-16 win, Wolter lost 21-19 and Forbes held on for an 18-18 draw.

Forbes is off to his fifth State Finals next week, while teammates Smith, Wolter, Bob Driscoll and Ray Evans have also previously played in the biggest weekend in club bowls.

Evans was part of Windang's No 6 team that won the NSW Pennant flag in 2008 in freezing conditions in Parkes.

Mixed in with the veterans are some less experienced players including Doug Allen, Ari Jarvin, Phil Cable, Bob Burton, Chris Bradley, Brett Price and Dave Robinson, who this year claimed Windang's Minor Singles title after only three years of bowls.

"We've a good mix of the experienced guys and blokes who can't wait to play in their first finals," said Forbes.

"It's pretty exciting to go away as a team and take on the best players at your level for a title."

And while much of the focus will be on the blue-ribbon Grade 1 and the champions of the sport, it's in the lower grades the spirit of bowls is truly alive.

Lower graders remain the lifeblood of every bowling club, enjoying a once-a-week roll-up with their mates and a quiet drink afterwards.

It's where winning takes a backseat to team camaraderie and the measure of the bowler isn't how well he can play a draw shot.

"We have guys from all kinds of backgrounds who just enjoy a game together and a chance to catch up socially," Forbes said.

"It's great we're in the State Finals but it's not why we play."

Off the green Beverly Compton epitomises the spirit at Windang BC as a most important member of the team, without rolling a bowl.

Compton is the team manager and has been involved with Grade 5 and Grade 6 teams each weekend for 22 years.

And while the Windang players' wives, partners and families are set to make it a big weekend in Ballina, celebrations may for some be a little subdued.

"If we win I might have an extra cup of coffee," Forbes joked, though his teammates may enjoy something a little stronger.