BOWLS
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Figgy Bowlo take the confidence of back-to-back wins into the biggest challenge in Illawarra bowls in facing defending Grade 1 champions Warilla in Sunday's pennant grand final.
Warilla are chasing a third straight top-grade Zone 16 crown after thrashing Wiseman Park 69-33 in Saturday's major semi-final, with Figgy Bowlo beating Corrimal in an extra-end elimination final and then overcoming Wiseman Park 57-49 in the grand final qualifier.
Warilla's world No 1 Alex Marshall set up the big win over Wiseman Park with a 30-5 victory in his rink.
Aaron Teys has lost just one rink all season and won his match 27-11, with Wisos' Robbie Warren preventing a clean sweep with a 17-12 victory over Jeremy Henry.
With their new bowls coordinator and former Scottish international Graeme Archer proving one of the signings of the pennants season, Figgy Bowlo have been the competition's biggest improver in 2015.
The Falcons held off a valiant Corrimal after a 51-51 tie after 63 ends.
Figtree picked up seven shots in the extra end to win 58-51 and then won two of the three rinks in a 57-49 victory over Wiseman Park.
Archer beat Dylan Skinner 23-15, Figtree's Steve Green beat Rob Warren 22-13, while Wiseman Park's Shane Garvey beat Greg Thurling 21-12.
While Figgy Bowlo are in form, Jeremy Henry says his Warilla team are peaking at the right time.
"We've been coasting along through the season without too many dramas but we picked it up in the semi," Henry said.
"It was probably our best win and shows we're ready for the grand final.
"There's a lot of pride in our side and while we face pressure of being the team to beat whenever we play I think we handle that expectation well.
"It's going to be a good grand final and as we know in any decider anything can happen."
Warilla will also be chasing a Zone 16 flag in Grade 2 and take on Oak Flats in the grand final.
Luckless Kiama lost two one-shot semi-finals; first to Warilla 56-55 in the major semi, then 55-54 to Oak Flats in the final.
In Grade 3, Dapto Citizens beat Towradgi 63-52 in the major semi-final but the clubs will meet again in the grand final.
Dapto Citizens face Figgy Bowlo in Grade 4, while Oak Flats have the upper hand in the Grade 5 round-robin series against Dapto Citizens and Warilla.
The clubs play one another with Oak Flats facing Citos in the final round.
Oak Flats have beaten Warilla by 19 shots, while Warilla beat Citos by 21 shots for an overall record of 1 win/1 loss (-2 margin). Oak Flats are 1win+19, with Citos 0wins -21.
In Grade 6, Windang take on Collies/ORB for the flag, with Wiseman Park meeting Jamberoo in the Grade 7 decider.