City United and Northern Suburbs booked their grand final spots in contrasting styles yesterday, but both teams were celebrating at the end of play.

It was a short and sharp finish at Robins Oval, as Norths bundled Raymond Terrace out for just 41 after posting 241 on a tricky wicket on day-one of their semi-final at Robins Oval.

City staged a stunning comeback to hold out Kurri Weston by just one run at the end of their first innings, but then had to endure a torturous 66 overs finishing on 5-125 as the Warriors chased an outright win at Lorn Park.

Karl Bowd delivered with a fine 70, with Blake Chandler making 20 to deny the Warriors.

Kurri Weston resumed play on day two needing 28 runs with four wickets in hand to overtake City’s first inning total of 123.

City’s Josh Adams held his nerve to have Cameron Bates caught behind, with the Warriors just two runs short of a first-innings lead.

Needing four runs to win, City fielder Bumpy Crouch managed to cut off a Bates’ shot before it reached the boundary. Crouch’s effort restricted Kurri Weston to just two runs when skipper Justin Kavanagh declined a risky third run which would have tied the match and given the Warriors a spot in the final.

Bates stood motionless at his crease as City United fielders rushed to congratulate Adams. The contrast in emotions could not have been more stark.

City were bowled out for 123 on day one, but struck back with the ball having Kurri Weston at 6/96 at Saturday’s close of play. City United skipper Matt Trappel top scored with 36 as Matthew Latham (14), Karl Bowd (11), Blake Chandler (16), Nick Bower (12) and Ben Davies (11) all made starts on a tricky wicket, with slow outfield.

Tim Harding made the early break-through dismissing the top three and finishing with 4-19. Bates did his job with the ball claiming 3-45. Troy Rees grabbed 3-27.

Kurri Weston were seemingly cruising at 2-80 when the crucial wickets of Jack Bennett, Simon Marshall, Michael Heinrich and Tim Harding fell in quick succession.