A superb innings from Emily Sculley lifted the Ballarat Bolts to a grand final berth in the Cricket Victoria north-west one-day competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bolts, 3-137, chased down Melbourne University, 4-136, in an elimination final at Eastern Oval on Saturday.
The Bolts will now take on arch-rival Greenvale Kangaroos in the decider in a fortnight's time.
"It was a really good game of cricket, Bolts' senior coach Jeremy Byrne said.
"The way we won and the way we came together was the most pleasing thing, so I don't think we could go into the final any better prepared."
Sculley scored 59 not out to lead the second innings charge. It was the second straight year the all-rounder has gone unbeaten in a semi-final, after scoring 94 against Craigieburn last season.
"She's fantastic for the team, she missed the whole T20 season with a football injury, so to have her come back leadership wise has been massive," Byrne said.
After a stellar bowling effort from the Bolts held two of Melbourne Uni's top batsman under 10 runs in the first innings, Byrne said the stage was set to steal victory.
"Everyone was up and about and it set the tone of positivity going into the run chase," he said.
A knock of 23 from Alyssa Lucas aided the Bolt's run chase, while Amelia Brown finished with bowling figures of 1-7 off four overs.
The decider in a fortnight's time will mark the second grand final in as many years for the Bolts after it fell to Hoppers Crossing in the decider last year.
The Bolts are yet to beat the Kangaroos, who are unbeaten this season. Byrne said he had every faith in his troops.
"We are a 50-50 chance," Byrne said.