What seemed a highly unlikely passage to the finals somehow came true for the team, which replaced a devastated Mt Xavier in fourth spot on the division one weekend pennant table.

Sitting fifth before Saturday's final-round contest, Ballarat needed to make up the 12-point gap on Mt Xavier, which looked well placed to beat City Oval.

Ballarat only managed 15 points in the battle with bottom side Ballarat East, but clinched a finals berth when Mt Xavier surprisingly lost its clash with the Hawks.

Mt Xavier picked up just one rink win in the overall 87-105 defeat, which saw the side finish a solitary point behind Ballarat.

"About time the gods held us in good stead and put us in there (finals)," Ballarat skipper Mark Fothergill said.

"(Saturday) night at club the 16 players got together and the mojo was back, the excitement was back, the enthusiasm was back."

Ballarat skippers Andrew Dalgleish and Brad Fothergill both won rink battles, while Zac Stewart scored an amazing seven shots on the final end to secure a draw.

That victory also secured Ballarat a place in the new premier league competition for 2019-20.

The top four from division one will join with the four local representatives in the Geelong-Ballarat Premier Bowls to form the new competition next season.

Week one of finals will see Ballarat take on Creswick in a knockout encounter.

The Wickers finished third on the table following a five-shot win over Webbcona.

Next weekend's other final will be played between minor premiers Ballarat Memorial Sports and second-placed Learmonth.

The winner of this match progresses to the grand final.

BMS easily beat Central Wendouree on Saturday, while Learmonth proved far too good for Smeaton.