Despite finishing with a negative score, Sebastopol's Bruce McFarlane, Brett Forrest and Stuart Neish took out the first section and will meet Matthew Flapper's Central Wendouree team in the first knockout round.

Flapper with teammates Col Johnson and Glenn Richards, built up a big margin in the opening two rounds of section two and held on despite dropping a third game to Zane Sanderson.

Daylesford's Rod Callahan, Leon Hedwards and David Beardsley, entered their second championship finals for the season after winning section three with two wins plus four shots.

Their score gave them a one-shot win over Neville Jenkin's team from Webbcona.

Shaun Clark, Matthew Collins and Adam Kinniburgh were impressive in taking out section four with three wins plus 20 shots.

Central Wendouree's Fred Lennecke, Cameron Bryce and Stephen Clarke also produced a perfect three game score, to finish 17 shots up and top section five.

Play in the championship continues at Ballarat Memorial Sports on Sunday with the first knockout round at 10am, round two at 1pm, followed by the final.

All knock-out finals are played over 18 ends and the winner will progress to group finals at Sebastopol on January 28.

DRAW: 10am, Bruce McFarlane (Sebastopol) v Matthew Flapper (CWBC); 1pm, winner of round 1 v Rod Callahan (Daylesford), Shaun Clark (Webbcona) v Fred Lennecke (CWBC); 3pm, final.

* THIS weekend is the last chance for most bowlers to get an entry in for The Courier singles and pairs association championships.

Entries for both must reach the match committee on Monday, December 11, and no late entries will be accepted.

All clubs have entry forms and the early report is that entries are strong which will set up a good competition in both events.

* TO BE involved in an eight-score is always exciting, especially for those on the receiving end.