Helensburgh book Illawarra grand final date with Balgownie

Like Balgownie, Helensburgh entered the semi-final as favourites, but they were made to work by a determined Keira side. 

Chris Macnamara and Steve Blissenden each picked up three wickets to reduce the Lions to 114 on Saturday’s opening day of play.

Keira, however, would fight back, with Neil Honavar picking up the crucial wicket of Mitch McCrae for 11 shortly before stumps.

The wickets continued to fall at regular intervals on Sunday, with Helensburgh slumping from 2-50 to 5-65.

The Tigers were sitting at 5-80, requiring a further 35 runs, when tea was called, holding the upper hand but still with plenty of work to do in the final session to claim the victory. 

Matt Ward ensured that work would be completed, with the middle-order batsmen guiding the team home with a fighting 34 not out.