City Memorial Red advances to 2019 Western District Bowls Division grand final

City Memorial Red accounted for its cross-town challenger in Saturday's preliminary final at Port Fairy.

Its 103-93 win set up a grand final showdown with Koroit Blue at Timboon.

City Memorial Red bowler Bruce Collie said it was pleasing to overcome Warrnambool Gold and end its six-year premiership stranglehold.

"It's been a mighty achievement to get to the grand final and to get over Warrnambool because we've played them so often in grand finals and the last few years they've had the wood on us," he said.

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Collie said City Red, which suffered a crushing one-shot loss to Warrnambool Gold in last season's decider, said the preliminary final was a tough contest.

"We were in control early and then Warrnambool, which they're renowned to do, came back very strongly and hit the front by eight shots at one stage," he said.

"We rallied again and once we got back in front we didn't get headed again."

Collie said Julie Dossar, the only female in City Red's Saturday team, was deemed its "best on ground".

"She had a brilliant day, played very, very well. She leads for David Wells," he said.

City Memorial Red will enter the grand final at the peak of its powers.

"Koroit have been the top side all year but we think we're running into form at the right time of the year," Collie said.

"It is a grand final, so anything can happen."

Warrnambool Gold skipper Paul O'Donnell said the powerhouse would reflect and respond.

"Everyone is a bit flat but there's a lot of pressure off us at the same time," he said.

"We've blooded new players so there's a good future."

O'Donnell paid tribute to City Red, saying its long-time rival was "too good, too consistent".

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