Wollongong saw their hopes of ending a 49-year premiership drought go up in smoke in a comprehensive loss to Northern Districts.

The win allowed the Butchers to celebrate both the minor premiership and club championship, with Jackson Stewart's side now determined to avenge for last year's timid finals exit.

This year they won't have Balgownie standing in their path, the two-time defending premiers' chances of a three-peat evaporating with a meek batting display against Corrimal, the Magpies all out for 98 in chase of 167.

Helensburgh were eliminated with a loss to University, while Wests, who were sitting precariously in third were forced to watch on as a damp pitch prevented play at Reed Park.

The three points for the draw were enough to secure the Devils fourth place.

With Wollongong, Balgownie and Helensburgh all falling, the door was slightly ajar for the most unlikely of teams to snare a finals berth, Keira.

Just a fortnight ago captain Kyle Connor conceded everything had to go right for his team to finish in the top four, the Lions sitting eighth with two games to play.

The luck turned last weekend, when the Lions recovered from 6-90 to defeat Wollongong. Other results also fell in their favour to leave Keira in with a sniff of a finals berth.

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The dominoes continued to fall on Saturday, with the Magpies, Tigers and Lighthouse Keepers all losing, and Keira made the most of the opportunity, defeating Port Kembla to surge into third on the ladder.

Connor acknowledged his side benefited from a fair degree of luck throughout the past two weeks, but he said now they're in the finals, the Lions will be making the most of the opportunity.

"We probably deserved a bit of luck, so you've got to take it when it comes your way," Connor said. "Results fell our way, which was good for us, but we also put ourselves in this position the last two weeks to be here.

"The boys are pretty pumped, it is opportunistic that we're here, now we'll put our best foot forward and make an impression."

The third-place finish means Keira will take on University in next week's semi-final, with Northern Districts to host Wests.

Uni were clinical in their win over Helensburgh, the side having won seven of their last eight completed matches.

With his players in form, University captain Mitchell Hearn is looking forward to next week's clash with Keira.

"It was a comprehensive performance," Hearn said. "We had some guys bowl that needed to get some overs under their belt and a few guys who hadn't batted that much lately got a bat. It's positive leading into next week.

"Keira's a quality team. If you look at their side, they're pretty well-rounded, they're one of the best sides in the comp, they just started slowly this year."

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