Favourites firm for final

By Kate Butler
Updated November 7 2012 - 3:18pm, first published January 6 2010 - 11:30am
Warrnambool's Connor Arnott sends one down to Grassmere batsman Phil Edwards. 100106DW05
Warrnambool's Connor Arnott sends one down to Grassmere batsman Phil Edwards. 100106DW05
Grassmere's Phil Edwards hits Warrnambool's Tom Bowman to leg at Davidson Oval.Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE
Grassmere's Phil Edwards hits Warrnambool's Tom Bowman to leg at Davidson Oval.Pictures: DAMIAN WHITE
Warrnambool's Travis Monk eyes his target against Grassmere yesterday. 100106DW02
Warrnambool's Travis Monk eyes his target against Grassmere yesterday. 100106DW02
Warrnambool U/17 Country Week Cricket game played at Davidson oval. Warrnambool Bowler Travis Monk bowling to Grassmere batsman. 100106DW01 Picture DAMIAN WHITE
Warrnambool U/17 Country Week Cricket game played at Davidson oval. Warrnambool Bowler Travis Monk bowling to Grassmere batsman. 100106DW01 Picture DAMIAN WHITE
Warrnambool U/17 Country Week Cricket game played at Davidson oval. Warrnambool Bowler Connor Arnott, bowling to Grassmere batsman Phil Edwards. 100106DW04 Picture DAMIAN WHITE
Warrnambool U/17 Country Week Cricket game played at Davidson oval. Warrnambool Bowler Connor Arnott, bowling to Grassmere batsman Phil Edwards. 100106DW04 Picture DAMIAN WHITE
Warrnambool U/17 Country Week Cricket game played at Davidson oval. Warrnambool PLAYING Grassmere batsman Nick Butters. 100106DW07 Picture DAMIAN WHITE
Warrnambool U/17 Country Week Cricket game played at Davidson oval. Warrnambool PLAYING Grassmere batsman Nick Butters. 100106DW07 Picture DAMIAN WHITE

WARRNAMBOOL Blue and South West are the likely Colts Country Week grand finalists after both kept their winning streaks intact yesterday.Steered by Wil Pomorin, Blue was too strong for the previously-undefeated Grassmere, which batted out its 50 overs to post 9-169.The ladder-leader replied with an impressive 3-198 at Davidson Oval while at Merrivale, South West smashed Portland.In pursuit of just 88, it whacked 9-226.If South West defeats Horsham and Blue beats Portland today, as expected, the teams will book themselves a spot in tomorrow's grand final.South West coach Russell McCann said his side struggled early with the bat against Portland."We got them out cheaply and then they put a bit of pressure on us," he said. "We got past them when we were five down, then our players had a chance to have a hit."McCann said batting had not been his side's strength."Our very tight bowling and our very strong fielding has been our focal point," he said."We were hopeful (we would be in this position) because we knew our players had the ability. Hopefully we can keep going. ''It's a hard week. The boys were a bit tired and weary (on Tuesday) but they were feeling better (yesterday)."While South West shared its runs around, Portland's Stephen Keiller hit 58.Best with the ball was South West's Michael Foster (3-9 off four overs). For Warrnambool Blue yesterday, Wil Pomorin (98) and Liam Youl (60no) were exceptional, putting on 139 runs for the second wicket.Nick Butters (77) top scored for Grassmere.Warrnambool Gold racked up its first victory after its 8-179 was nowhere near gettable for West Wimmera, which managed only 63 at Dennington.Michael Threlfall (70) and Louis Herbert (31) did the most damage with the bat for the winners while teammates Jed Turland (3-15) and Alex O'Connor (3-11) were handy with the ball.Koroit hosted Horsham and Hamilton, with the latter winning by 35 runs thanks to even contributions by its batsmen. Hamilton's Sam Crawford finished with a five-wicket haul.In division two, Warrnambool is still winless after it went down to Hamilton at Bushfield.Hamilton (Ben Noske 20) batted first to set 97, which was five runs too much for Warrnambool.Charles Zwar claimed 3-16 for the winners while Marty Gleeson grabbed 3-5 for the losers.Wimmera Mallee posted a healthy 201 (Jacob Patching 51, Hamish Morcom 44) at Nirranda, before dismissing Hamilton for 84.

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