Centuries were the order of the weekend in Maitland first grade semi-finals as City United and Western Suburbs qualified for the 2015-2016 decider.
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Skipper Matt Trappel (103) and teammate Anru Kriel (110) did the job for minor premiers City while Aaron Mahony (116 not out) steered Wests home.
City successfully defended the 273 they scored at Robins Oval on Saturday by dismissing Northern Suburbs for 148 on Sunday and denying the two-time title holders a tenth straight grand final appearance.
Over at Lorn Park on Sunday, Wests chased down the 283 posted by Kurri Weston on Saturday, which included a ton to Jake Gordon (102).
“Jake batted really well for us but Aaron was just too good,” Kurri Weston skipper Tyler Power said. “It was a classy knock.”
Norths captain Josh Callinan conceded the same thing.
“Trap and Anru changed the game for them [City],” he said.
“They stuck it out and set it up.”
Runs dominated proceedings across the two days and a fourth-wicket partnership of 174 between Trappel and Kriel took the score to 4-196 in the 62nd over.
Norths opening bowler Ben Sayers (3-25) had earlier taken three wickets in as many overs to leave the hosts in trouble but City slowly managed to peg back the advantage and eventually progressed to a third straight grand final.
The district’s leading wicket taker Nick Bower (4-47) snared four more on day two while Ben Davies (2-27) and Tim Carroll (2-15) also chipped in for City.
Lincoln Mills was the best performer in a beaten team with his 60 adding to figures of 4-55.
An all-round display from Rob Wheildon of Wests was also crucial, snaring 5-29 at the back end of day one as Kurri lost 7-68 after being 4-213.
Wheildon then finished 34 not out as the Plovers passed the total with six wickets in hand and 29 balls to spare.
His partnership of 63 with Mahony was only outdone by the No.3 and Luke Merchant (47), who compiled 111 for the third wicket.
It was Kurri Weston’s fourth straight semi-final loss since last making the decider in 2010-2011.
This will now be Wests first appearance since a drought breaking title in 2011-2012.
City last clinched the major premiership crown in 2008-2009.
Club champions City qualified four teams for grand finals with second, fourth and fifth grades also winning semi-finals on the weekend.