It was an exciting day of finals action in the Cricket Shepparton junior competitions as sides battled it out for a spot in the grand finals this weekend.
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At under-16 A-grade level, the semi-final between Pine Lodge and Euroa went down to the wire at Memorial Oval, Euroa.
The Lodgers toughed out a tense run chase to defeat the gallant home side by two wickets, booking a grand final date with Numurkah.
After losing the toss, Pine Lodge bowled tidy line and length deliveries and rolled through the Magpies for 130.
Opening quick Abhayjeet Singh Saini (3-15) and Finn Kruger (2-12) were the two standouts with the ball, while Daniel Linton 2-27, James Nugent (1-5) and Lachie Ludeman (1-7) gave solid contributions.
And Euroa's Nick Hill scored an important 54-run knock to help give his bowlers a target to defend.
Pine Lodge's run chase started disastrously — losing 2-11 — but a match-winning partnership from Hayden Reynolds and Linton saved the day.
Reynolds top-scored with 42 from 51 deliveries, while Linton chipped in with a handy 18 to guide the Lodgers to 61 runs and calmer waters.
A superb unbeaten 29 from Ludeman then made sure Pine Lodge sealed victory, despite Euroa's Darby Wilson (4-10) bowling brilliantly.
Pine Lodge will play Numurkah in the grand final at Vibert Reserve, Shepparton.
● At under-16 B-grade level, Nagambie sealed a grand final berth thanks to dominant batting efforts from James Auld (62 not out) and Jonathon Moore (44).
The Lakers posted 7-185 batting first before taking care of Katandra for 126, despite a glorious unbeaten 60 from Finn Walters.
And Northerners made light work of Murchison in the other semi-final, claiming a nine-wicket victory.
This weekend's final will be played at Deakin Reserve.
● At under-14 A-grade level, Numurkah held on by 17 runs in a thrilling semi-final match against Notre Dame-St Brendan's Gold.
The Blues’ Riley Dawson put in a good effort with the bat, top-scoring with 41 runs in the 135-run total.
Damaging bowling from Mitch O'Dwyer (3-9) and Harry McDonald (2-9) halted Gold from securing victory.
And Shepparton United's sublime bowling effort helped it record an eight-wicket victory against Old Students to lock in a spot in Sunday's final at Vibert Reserve.
● Meanwhile, Nagambie young gun Darby O'Brien top-scored with a dazzling unbeaten 58 in his side's under-14 B-grade semi-final win against Northerners.
With his side 5-30, O'Brien steered the Lakers to a match-winning total of 146.
The Jets could only muster 116 in reply, as Nagambie's Hugh McKeown (2-10) helped his side clinch victory.
Lastly, Old Students cruised to a big win against Waaia, winning by 203 runs, and will meet Nagambie this Sunday at Princess Park.
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