A supreme all-round showing from marquee man James Nanopoulos has steered the Hurley's Hotel Hounds into the inaugural Goulburn Valley Bush Bash League grand final.
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The Hounds faced the Cobram Panel Works Panthers in a virtual round three elimination clash at Deakin Reserve yesterday, coming out comfortably on top when the dust settled.
It was not the end of the nerves for the Kyabram-based camp though as it watched the Jarvis Delahey Crushers almost snatch second spot from underneath them in the afternoon Crane Aid GVBBL contest against the SRP Mud Dogs.
But the eventual 37-run triumph over the Panthers proved crucial for the Hounds, securing their berth in the decider by less than .33 of a percentage point despite the Crushers getting over the hosts.
Nanopoulos first did the damage with bat in hand for his side, clubbing two sixes and two fours on his way to an unbeaten 45 from 35 deliveries.
Jedd Wright joined in the fun with three maximums - including one which he hooked over the Shepparton United clubrooms - to hit 34 from 25, while Brenton Campbell also got a solid knock in with 24 from 22.
Saranjit Kalsi (2-23) claimed the most rewards for the Panthers, with James Tierney, Matt Jaensch, Michael Eckard and Jordan Cleeland all snaring a wicket apiece as the Hounds were restricted to 6-145 from their 20 overs.
Returning to the magenta and black, James Seymour picked up where he left off in round one - where he scored an unbeaten 91 from 61 - by smashing four boundaries to get the chase rolling before popping a leading edge up to Wright at mid-off for 20.
From there none of the Panthers could get the run rate motoring, and despite Eckard (37 from 38), Luke Quinn (23 from 36) and Isaac Willett (10 from 17) reaching double figures, the chase petered out in the final overs before finishing on 7-108.
It was a credit to the tight bowling of the Hounds, with Nanopoulos’ 2-19 only outshone by Jackson McLay's 3-17.
Wright (1-16) also claimed a victim and Campbell snared a run-out, but Matt Hinks (0-16 off four overs) and Michael Archer (0-17 off three) built pressure by sending down spells which cost less than six runs per over.
The Hounds now face the Mud Dogs at Deakin Reserve in the February 16 final.
THE GAME
Hurley's Hotel Hounds 6-145 (James Nanopoulos 45 not out, Jedd Wright 34, Brenton Campbell 24, Saranjit Kalsi 2-23) d Cobram Panel Works Panthers 7-108 (Michael Eckard 37, Luke Quinn 23, James Seymour 20, Jackson McLay 3-17, James Nanopoulos 2-19).
STAR PLAYER
James Nanopoulos (Hounds): Fresh from his history-making spell in the Victorian Premier Cricket ranks, Nanopoulos whacked an unbeaten 45 from 35 deliveries before snaring 2-19 from his four overs.
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