By Luke Voogt
East Belmont captain Sean O’Neill has hit yet another century to help his side upset Lara and earn a place in the GCA division one firsts grand final.
The opening batsman made 103, his fifth ton of the season, at almost a run a ball while Andrew Baars contributed 76, as the Lions finished on 8/299.
For Lara, Vishesh Malhotra and Andrew Hughes both made 65, but East Belmont leg spinner Chris Williams took 4/34 helping to dismiss the Cats for 207 off 41.2 overs.
East Belmont takes on North Geelong in tomorrow’s grand final after the Magpies scored a thrilling but controversial two-run win over South Barwon.
North Geelong elected to bat and reached 18 before a 4/5 wicket collapse put them in trouble at 4/23.
Sam Hall (47) and Alistair McCann steadied the ship putting on 77 for the fourth wicket.
McCann (45) batted on after Hall’s dismissal, helping the Magpies reach 8/165 off 47 overs.
South Barwon were penalised 30 runs (10 per over) for failing to complete a minimum of 48 overs bringing the Magpie’s total to 195.
Paceman Nick Lynch was the stand out of South Barwon’s bowlers taking 3/23 off seven.
South Barwon raced to 90 before Andrew Fergusson dismissed opener Joel Davies caught in the outfield on 63.
The Magpies ran out Henry Melville for just one additional run.
Fergusson and spinner Tom Bagg both took 2/32, off 10 and nine overs respectively, with McCann and Lachlan Hayes whittling the Swans down to 7/181, then 8/185.
The Swans needed seven off the last over and Zac Thorne hit a four off Lachlan Hayes’ first ball.
But Hayes responded with a dot ball and Thorne skied the next to point with Fergusson taking a pressure catch.
With South Barwon needing three runs off three balls, Hayes bowled Kaushik Jagannathan for the win, finishing with 4/26.
South Barwon’s second and third XIs both made grand finals and will play East Belmont and North Geelong in the respective matches.
In the fourths St Joseph’s takes on Newtown-Chilwell.
In the division two semi-finals minor premiers Bell Post Hill chased down 161 to beat Torquay by seven wickets.
Geelong City chased down 206 for a nine-wicket victory over Marshall, albeit with just three balls remaining, to also book their place in the final.
St Peter’s seconds and thirds both made grand finals and will take on Geelong City and Marshall in the respective matches.
In division three Corio’s 220 proved too much for Lethbridge (all out for 206) despite a standout 107 from opener Shane Dillon.
St Albans Breakwater defeated Geelong West by seven wickets in the other semi-final to reach the grand final.
In the seconds Geelong West will play Waurn Ponds-Deakin.
In the retire 100s north Teesdale will play North Shore while in the south league Torquay takes on St Joseph’s.
