Skipper Tom Groth won the toss and elected to bat at McKittrick Park and it proved to be a good call as top order batsmen Michael Rixon and Brad Smith put on a 68 run partnership after Caleb McNeil fell early.

Smith fell for 44 before Rixon brought up another season milestone with a top knock of 62 before Adam Lole (25) and Groth (30*) kept the scoreboard ticking as they just fell short of the 50 overs, bowled out for 219.

“I was really happy with 219,” Groth said.

“There were plenty of runs out there when the ball was new but the scoring got a bit tougher when it softened up a bit.” 

That didn’t prove to be a problem for their Central Coast opponents after opening bowler Tom O’Neill took the new cherry and produced a magnificent 10 over spell to finish with 5-27 as Tamworth skittled them for just 58 in the 21^st over.

First change bowler Tait Jordan also had a sublime day out taking four wickets, while Lachie Davidson collected the remaining scalp on a day where the skipper only used the three bowlers.

“They didn’t put up much resistance – especially to Tom (O’Neill), Groth said.

“He was bowling quick and hit a couple of them with some good short balls and they just started nicking off or getting bowled.” 

“We took all our catches too so hopefully can take that into the final as well.”

O’Neill found himself on a hat-trick at one stage but couldn’t quite make it on a day where “they were coming out really well.” 

“The ball was holding in the wicket a little bit so after some short stuff I just bowled line and length stump to stump,” O’Neill said.

“Hopefully we can execute with both the bat and ball the same way in the final.”

The skipper was also confident the young side can go on and win the competition for the first time since 2011.

“We just need to turn up and perform the way we did today, if we do that we are in with a good chance,” Groth said.

Tamworth will meet Tweed Heads in the final at Ellem Park after the coastal side beat Bathurst in the other semi-final on Thursday.