Lavington and North Albury will meet in the historic grand final series after two crackerjack preliminary finals on Sunday.
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North veteran Greg Daniel struck an unbeaten 75 in the two-wicket win over underdogs St Patrick's, while Lavington's Jarryd Weeding struck the winning runs from the third-last ball, with Jack Craig running the same direction as the shot over point and diving full length, with the ball dribbling out.
"I thought I got enough on it, the heart was in the mouth for a while, it was a cracking effort by 'Craigy' and a super game," Weeding said.
Lavington had lost just one of its past 31 matches heading into the game, but was on the verge of bowing out.
Wodonga's Tom Johnson exploded back to form with an unbeaten 98 as the outsiders posted an impressive 7-204.
I thought I got enough on it, the heart was in the mouth ... it was a cracking effort by 'Craigy'.
- Jarryd Weeding
Johnson hit 10 boundaries and a six from 136 deliveries.
The Panthers were batting at 6-110 when Matt Tom, who had been dropped to second grade after Christmas, and number eight Brad Dalbosco combined in a 66-run stand.
When Tom was dismissed for 48, Dalbosco and Weeding pushed the team to 7-198 when Craig produced a miracle catch on the 30-metre circle, diving full length to his right and taking the ball just off the ground.
The Panthers needed seven runs for victory from eight balls, with a Weeding square cut for four off Cam Suidgeest leaving the favourites with three from the last over.
The first ball was a dot, then Michael Galvin stole a single, followed by another dot.
The home team still needed two from three when Weeding squirted the ball for a thrilling victory at 7.10pm.
"We've been screaming out for guys to be finishers and we want Matty Tom and Brad Dalbosco to be the ones that get us home and they got us out of a lot of trouble," coach Sam O'Connor said.
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