The longer we waited for the defending champions to unleash their fury, the more we wondered if they had lost their mojo in the space of 12 months.

Then it happened, the volcano erupted on Saturday just in time to vanquish Altona from the title race in a do-or-die elimination final at the Glenroy Bowls Club.

The Ponds could not have timed their seasons' peak any better.

They show no mercy as they scolded the A's 115-68.

Committee member and past president Andy Smith took delight in the Ponds dismantling of one of their long-time foes.

"It was a big result," he said.

"We had a very celebratory evening."

Then Smith said the words that neither Clayton, the Ponds preliminary final opponent, nor Melbourne, grand finalist in waiting, wanted to hear. "We could win it from fourth," he said.

The Ponds are one of the biggest fish in the premier division ponds. They are feared by their rivals and the past fortnight magnifies their quality.

Before dismantling the A's, an outfit many believed to be the title favourites at Christmas, the Ponds fired a psychological blow in the direction of Clayton with a narrow win.

It was a game the Ponds stored in the memory banks for perceived 'gamesmanship' played out off the greens in the lead-up to the last round encounter.

"There's a bit of love-hate relationship there," Smith said.

"We had three Australian reps that had to go to a pro-am last Sunday up at Moama and Bowls Australia gave permission for our game to be played on Saturday because of the final of the Australian Open.

"They got in touch with Clayton and Clayton wouldn't come to the party.

"They knew we had the three away and it was absolute gamesmanship to play the game on the Sunday. One of the first rules in bowls is common sense and sportsmanship at all times."

It adds further spice to an already important afternoon of bowls with a grand final berth at stake.