Warrnambool T20 Cup semi finalists decided after final rounds

The final four was decided after a bumper day of matches on Saturday, with the North Warrnambool Eels making the grade alongside Port Fairy, Brierly Christ Church and Allansford-Panmure, who all topped their respective pools.

The day threw up several standout individual performances, but in the end it was all-round team performances that got the final four across the line.

The Eels easily secured their spot after going undefeated over three rounds.

Winning their first game over West Warrnambool on December 9, captain Nick Butters said his team was eager to win their final two games against Koroit and Northern Raiders.

"Koroit started really well with the bat. They got off to a flyer and had about 50 after five overs," Butters said.

"But the guys bowled well in the back half, and that's the way we play our T20s.

"We throw it around and chop and change and make it hard for the batting side.

"It was good to see an even contribution with the ball."

A quick-fire 64-run partnership from Jackson Grundy (40 runs from 21 balls) and Kory Howlett (37 from 23) helped the Eels edge past Koroit.

The Eels still needed to win game three to keep their finals spot safe, with Northern Raiders and West Warrnambool breathing down their neck.

"There is always pressure," Butters said.

"You want to win games to make certain you do make that final."

But an already blistering Eels attack was even sharper against the Raiders, taking early wickets to dismiss the new side for 54.

Hank Schlaghecke capped off a superb day with the ball to finish with combined figures of 5-10 from eight overs.

Brierly Christ Church also go into finals in ripping form, after winning both games on Saturday.

Skipper Mark Murphy did most of the heavy lifting with the bat, smashing 86 runs from 63 deliveries against Russells Creek as his team sneaked over the line by 15 runs.

Just hours later, it was 60 from 43, as Murphy partnered with brother Nathan Murphy (53 from 36) to set up an unassailable total of 7/156 against Southern Titans.

Playing-coach Lachlan Rooke then spearheaded the Bulls' attack, picking up 3-3 from two overs.

Allansford-Panmure and Port Fairy's entry into finals was decided in the final round of the day, though the games themselves were fairly straightforward.

Going up against Wesley Yambuk, both the Beavers and Allansford-Panmure's Gators needed the win to progress.

First dismissing Wesley Yambuk for 102 on the second last ball, the Gators reached their target with six wickets and 17 balls in hand.

Patrick Mahony was the star, first snaring 3-15 from three overs before topping his side's scoring with 40 off of 32 balls.

Port Fairy's game against Dennington played out in similar fashion, the Pirates chasing 101 which they chipped away at in 16.3 overs.

An unbeaten 52 from Aaron Williams sealed the win, with Williams heading into finals in strong T20 form. He has averaged 85.5 across the three games.

Earlier in the day, Dennington's Telge Peiris' haul of 5-15 over Nestles proved a highlight despite the team later missing out on finals.

The T20 Cup semi finals will be held on January 8 at Reid Oval.

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