BOWLS
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Warilla are coming off their best win of the season, while Oak Flats will hope the momentum of two tense elimination victories continues in their favour in Sunday's Illawarra pennants Grade 2 grand final.
Oak Flats' back-to-back elimination victories over Fairy Meadow 56-54 and Kiama 55-54 went down to the last bowl to set a clash with Warilla in the pennant decider.
Warilla stunned the formerly unbeaten Kiama 56-55 in their major semi-final to join their Grade 1 side chasing the biggest prize in club bowls.
Warilla skip Jared Hamilton, who with Ted Clarke and Ryan Burgess have experience in Warilla's Grade 1 side, said his team's form has been timely.
"We jumped out of the gates real quick against Kiama and it was a real top effort considering they were unbeaten," he said. "We know Oak Flats will be tough having played them in our section but we're in good touch."
Hamilton was part of the Bulli team which make the playoff decider in the Grade 2 State Finals in 2013 and would love another go at a state flag.
Meanwhile, Oak Flats having voluntarily stepped down from Grade 1 to play in Grade 2 a couple of years ago, would be eligible to return to the top grade to replace Thirroul if they triumph on Sunday.
This season Oak Flats came second on countback from Dapto Citizens and Figgy Bowlo in Grade 2B, with Warilla winning a competitive four-team section, while Kiama easily won section 2A.
Warilla and Oak Flats played three times during the pennant season with Warilla winning the opening round 58-57 and Oak Flats winning the other two meetings 84-45 (round four) and 50-46 (round seven).
Kiama produced the hard luck story in the seven grades of pennants semi-finals last weekend when they were beaten in both the major semi and the final by a single shot after 63 ends.
But with Kiama having missed the grand final, both finalists will view the title decider as a huge chance to claim a pennant flag and play in the State Finals in August.
Meanwhile, nine clubs across the seven grades have a shot at winning a pennant title, with Dapto Citizens involved in three grand finals this weekend and Warilla, Oak Flats and Figgy Bowlo a real chance of winning two flags. The Grade 3 grand final is a rematch of the major semi-final between Dapto Citizens and Towradgi. Citos won the major semi 63-52, but Towradgi then beat Kiama 65-58 in their second chance for the grand final.
Dapto Citizens are also in the Grade 4 grand final, facing the in-form Figgy Bowlo.
Citos were 61-45 winners over Warilla in the major semi, while Figgy Bowlo beat Windang 57-44 in the minor semi and then Warilla 70-41 in the grand final qualifier.
Oak Flats have the upper hand in the Grade 5 round-robin grand final series against Dapto Citizens and Warilla.
The clubs play one another with Oak Flats facing Citos in Saturday's final round.
Oak Flats have already beaten Warilla by 19 shots, with Warilla beating Citos by 21 shots for an overall record of one win/one loss (-2 margin).
Oak Flats are one win+19, with Citos zero wins -21.
In Grade 6, Windang thrashed Warilla 66-37 in the major semi and meet Collies/ORB in the grand final after the ORB beat Fairy Meadow 54-52 and then Warilla 66-65.
Finally, Wiseman Park and Jamberoo will be looking to end the season in style with victory in the Grade 7 decider.
Wiseman Park beat Warilla 59-45 in their major semi, with Jamberoo accounting for Dapto Citizens B, 64-44 in the minor semi and then beating Warilla 58-56 in the final.