ALTONA has maintained its advantage on top of the Royal Victorian Bowls Association ladder after a comfortable victory over Melbourne in round 16 on Saturday.
Altona won 16-109 to 2-86 to take its season tally to 11 wins and three losses with only two games remaining in the season.
It plays Glen Eira McKinnon and Moonee Ponds before beginning its finals campaign.
Yarraville/Footscray lost to Lalor away from home and will miss the finals after it slipped further behind the chasing pack.
Lalor prevailed 14-101 to 4-85 to consolidate its position in the top four, while Yarraville/ Footscray will look to finish the season on a high when it plays Melbourne and Darebin City in the final two rounds.
