Thanuka Dabare set the standard early with a breathtaking 78 off 35, taking 22 off two of the first four overs in a first-wicket stand of 88.

Sithara Perera (30) and Damian Woods (36) then put on 59 through the middle overs to lead the home side to 9-235 with Sam Henley, Sam Graham, Damian Whybrow (2-15) and Varun Nadesh taking two wickets each.

The Bulldogs' chase began in promising fashion with Whybrow and Mark Cooper (33) reaching 0-53 before Liam Reynolds turned the game on its head.

The Hadspen skipper dismissed Whybrow and Graham in the same over en route to a match-winning 4-5 off six overs.

Nadesh (27 not out) did his best to stem the flow of wickets but was left stranded as the Bulldogs were bowled out for 136 in 27 overs.

Meanwhile, Dion Blair led Longford into a fourth-straight premier league final by scoring 51 in a five-wicket win over Trevallyn.

The visitors scored a competitive 8-158 thanks to a 92-run fifth-wicket stand between James Whiteley (60) and Ronnie Mathew (42), with Jesse Arnol (4-27) Longford's best.

Sandagirigoda (44 off 24) looked in a mood to finish the game in 20 overs, but the hosts needed 33 to pass the total with Max Magann and Jason Snare at the wicket.

Jay Willis bowled eight overs for 16 while Kyle Strochnetter took 4-38.