St Anthonys will have a shot at premiership glory this week in the Gisborne District Cricket Association.
The Saints booked their place in the B-grade grand final with a crushing win against Wallan on Sunday.
Despite losing their last three matches in the home and away season, it was a switched on St Anthonys that controlled the match from the outset at Arnolds Creek Reserve.
After losing the toss and being given first crack with the new ball, the Saints wasted no time getting into the Wallan middle order.
On the back of the hot start the Saints applied even more pressure to bowl Wallan out for just 140 after 49 overs.
Known for its powerful batting line up, St Anthonys had no trouble reeling in the small target.
Thanks to a half century from club president Lucas Alaimo and a vital 39 from Paul Scott, the Saints secured the win with four wickets in hand.
St Anthonys bowler Shane Newton said the key to the win was a sharing of the workload.
“Once you’re in the finals, it is really a new season,” he said.
“I think the best four sides made the finals and that is essentially us starting a new season with those sides.
“It was a good all round performance. We had a couple of good batting displays at the end of day one and to start day two. We are really happy with the way we played.”
St Anthonys’ grand final opponent will be Rupertswood which booked its place with a huge win over Bacchus Marsh.
The Saints met Rupertswood twice during the home and away season with the win-loss ledger split at 1-1.
Their last meeting was earlier this month which Rupertswood won by 112 runs.
“We will go into this game full strength,” Newton said.
“We are a very strong batting line up as are Rupertswood. We will have to be on our game and likewise for them. They will need to be on their game to beat us.
“We are really looking forward to the challenge.”
The winner of the match will also be promoted into the GDCA’s A-grade competition, the McIntyre Cup.
