West Tamworth finishing the regular season in third place is a "really big" achievement after they flopped in the Twenty20 rounds, says the side's captain, Shaun Stevenson.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wests booked a minor semi-final appointment against North Tamworth at Riverside 1 next weekend after beating Norths at the same venue on Saturday.
The first-innings victory, and Bective Easts' defeat of reigning premiers South Tamworth, resulted in Wests jumping from fifth to third spot. Just over 12 points separates second-placed City United and last-placed Bective.
READ ALSO:
Wests have won four straight matches, and Stevenson said "taking all that momentum into the finals is pretty crucial, and I'm really happy, really proud with the boys' efforts yesterday [Saturday]."
Resuming on 6-74 chasing Wests' 134, Norths were dismissed for 92 on Saturday.
Wests were then removed for 113 in their second innings, meaning Norths chased 155 to win - and finished 6-125.
Stevenson said the mid-season addition to the side of opening bowlers Elliot Bowen and Cameron Reeves had provided Wests with much-needed teeth.
At Riverside 2, Souths dropped from third to fifth spot and missed the chance to launch a finals defence of their premiership, after Adam Jones' 125-ball 114 not out resulted in the Bulls passing Souths' 225. The last-placed Bulls finished on 6-227.
Souths quick Tom O'Neill claimed 4-69 off 20.1 overs, while last week Bulls captain Jye Paterson took 6-43 off 20 overs.