Minor premiers Tallarook punched their ticket to the decider in stunning fashion, crushing Pyalong by 129 runs in a thoroughly one-sided affair.
The Rooks, who had been comfortable atop the ladder for the majority of the season before a late stumble, seem to have regained their form at the right time, especially with the bat, smashing a huge total of 2-227 after winning the toss and asking Pyalong to bowl.
Opener Mitch Itter was most destructive, belting 13 fours and a maximum en route to 97, cruelly falling short of a spectacular century.
But he wasn’t alone in his devastating knock, as fellow opener Joshua Rudge belted an unbeaten 66 that included eight boundaries, while Lachlan Watts’ 46 saw the ball meet the rope six times while clearing it once.
The powerful display with the bat was backed up by an equally inspired bowling performance, led by Watts, who claimed 4-32 as Pyalong were bowled out for just 98.
Matthew Archibald (2-19) and Kalon Winnell (2-15) were also instrumental, taking multiple wickets, while Leigh Irving (1-8) and Ben Trezise (1-0) also claimed a scalp each, in what was a formidable display by Tallarook.
Yea, on the other hand, faced an extremely tough contest against Seymour, with the two sides facing off at Chittick Park.
Winning the toss and batting first, Seymour made its way to 10-173 off the back of 27 from opener Jason Brown, while 21 each from Brett Gordon and Lachlan Drummond helped the home side reach a solid total.
Thomas White was Yea’s weapon with the ball, claiming 4-40, while Marc Steiner (3-26) and skipper Andrew Butterworth (2-15) were also among the wickets.
Yea’s chase got off to a disastrous start, losing Steiner with just one run on the board, however Edison Waghorn (31) and Biron Hardinge (27) steadied the ship, putting on 64 for the second wicket before both falling with the score on 65.
Butterworth would be next to depart, adding just five runs before Drummond (2-19) sent him packing, and Seymour looked to be getting on top.
It would be middle order contributions from Cameron Armstrong and James Lincoln that propelled Yea to the win, as they made 31 and 34, respectively, to ensure the Tigers would safely reach the required runs, finishing with a total of 7-175 from 42 overs to book their spot in the decider.
Tallarook and Yea will face off in the grand final at Tallarook Recreation Reserve on Saturday, March 22, with the first ball to be bowled at 12.30pm.
In B-grade, Avenel will face Alexandra in the decider after each side scored comfortable wins in their respective semi-finals.
Avenel accounted for Pyalong by eight wickets, needing just 17 overs to chase down the required runs, while Alexandra needed just 12 overs to chase down the 94 they needed in a five wicket win over Tallarook.
The two sides will get their grand final underway at Avenel Recreation Reserve on Saturday, March 22, at 12.30pm.
