SWIFTS/Great Western have booked their ticket in the Grampians Cricket Association A grade grand final after an impressive first innings win over Buangor.
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The Combine won the toss and elected to bat which resulted in a winning score, but when Sam Cocks was dismissed in the early overs Swifts/Great Western would have been nervous.
James Devery waited until the first game of the finals to put runs on the board and after surviving short and pace bowling in the early stages he was able to settle into his rhythm.
Six of the eight batsmen that made their way to the crease were able to get starts with Cocks and Nic Clough the only two to miss out.
Devery took some risks throughout his innings, but was able to bat through the entire innings to finish with an unbeaten 93 runs.
Gary Ranton was the next best also unbeaten on 44 runs.
With 277 runs in total Swifts/Great Western would have been confident going into day two.
Like Swifts/Great Western Buangor had plenty of starts, but none that could emulate the innings of Devery, who was the only player to make a big score.
Chris Jerrum made 43 runs to be the top scorer for Buangor as they fell 99 runs shy of the total set by the Combine.
Marc Brilliant was the best of the Swifts/Great Western bowlers taking three wickets from his 21 overs.
Brilliant was the most economical bowler from both bowling attacks going at just two runs an over.
Swifts/Great Western will now meet Aradale in the final after they easily accounted for Youth Club.
Aradale put an all Stawell final out of the equation when they knocked the Clubbers overs for a mere 91 runs.
Youth Club were two down before they reached double figures and were unable to recover as Aradale bowlers ripped through their batting line up.
Brent Tate was on target for Aradale taking 4/26 from 16 overs.
Youth Club wickets fell consistently through their innings with Rob Scott the only player to reach a halfdecent score of 29.
After lasting only 41 overs Youth Club were all out for 91 runs.
Aradale needed just 33 overs and three wickets to win and progress to the final.
Andrew Wood stood out at the top of the Aradale innings with 39 runs, while Riley Wood made a start with 20 before he was dismissed.
Travis Horvatek also made a start.
Jarrod Illig took one wicket from his two overs and could have possibly bowled more overs.
Steve LeGassick and Shaun Ellis were the two other wicket takers,
Swifts Great Western will play Aradale in the final this weekend.
Stories on the B and C grade semi finals will be published Friday.
