The South Otago 40-over club finalists have been found after two pulsating semifinals played in less-than-ideal conditions over the weekend.
There is a familiar look to the final as, for the third year in a row, it will be contested by the Waihola Swans and the Owaka Bandits.
Waihola beat the Kaitangata Kings by seven wickets in the first semifinal in Milton.
Kaitangata were asked to bat and could only manage 140 before being bowled out in the final over of the innings.
The loss of opener Allan Thomson in the first over set the tone as Kai slumped to 29 for four.
Mark Shepherd and Kane Benington looked to revive innings with a 51-run fifth-wicket partnership before Benington was dismissed for 20.
Kai hit the 100 mark for the loss of seven wickets then lost Shepherd for a well-struck 59.
The tail could not add many runs and Kai were left with a worrying total to defend.
Both Ashley Manson and Craig Gordon took three wickets for the Swans.
In reply, Waihola did not have it all their own way as key batters Marc Kohey and Rowan Craw were dismissed with 37 on the board.
A key partnership from Waihola talisman Dylan Bungard and Toby Greene got the Swans over halfway in the chase before Bungard was joined by Shannon Young, and the two combined in an unbeaten 72-run partnership to see the Swans into the final. Bungard finished unbeaten on 59 and Young 21.
In a similar semifinal, the Owaka Bandits beat the Milton King Crabs by seven wickets in Owaka.
Milton were asked to bat and recorded 136 all out in the final over of the innings.
Dylan Greer and Corey Bradley combined for a decent partnership and took the score over 50 at a good clip before Greer was trapped in front by Hayden Sheppard for 24.
Bradley was next to go for 31 after also being trapped in front, this time by Jamie Shaw, who bowled a fantastic eight-over spell and tore through an experienced middle order to leave the Crabs at 84 for five.
Some lower-order cameos helped the Crabs get to a total that could have been a tricky one to attack for a batting side.
Jamie Shaw was the pick of the bowlers for Owaka with three for 22 off eight overs, and Jeremy Gray had three for 26 off his eight.
In response, Owaka chased the total down in the 33rd over of the innings.
An 81-run opening stand between Gordon Edwards (39) and Gray (34) broke the back of the chase before both openers were dismissed in consecutive overs.
Jethro Melville and Quentin Gare showed cool heads to navigate some poor weather and some tight Crabs bowling to all but seal the deal.
Melville was dismissed close to the end for 26 before Gare finished the job in the next over.
— Francis Parker
