Launceston captured a mighty 15 wickets Saturday on a batting friendly wicket to push its case to guarantee a grand final berth, but only clinched a moral victory and a preliminary home final.
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All the 196-run win would achieve was Launceston and South Launceston doing it all again next week to earn the right to face Westbury for the Cricket North title.
The Shamrocks secured the minor premiership with a dominant innings and 80-run victory over Riverside.
But Launceston captain Alistair Taylor said the positives of bolstering his side's confidence before the finals far outweighed the negatives of missing out on putting their feet up next week.
"We controlled a fair bit of the game, which is ideal," he said. "We batted really well and the day out, which is what you have to do in finals.
"So we won't change too much from our gameplan, I don't think. But to take 15 wickets in a day on a pretty nice batting wicket was just a testament to our bowlers and especially Daniel Smith, who was absolutely fantastic."
The opening bowler put victory beyond doubt, snaring 5-23 to dismiss South for 145. The Knights lost 4-4 in the middle order to stumble to 7-77 in the pursuit of 342.
Captain Tom Waller batted through the collapse to finish up with 34 not out.
The Lions looked a real chance of snaring an outright win and to topple Westbury from the top when the home side had their rivals 4-33.
But South showed some fighting spirit to reach 5-131.
Waller again was unbeaten on 31 after Nathan Philip top-scored with 37 and Jeremy Jackson was 36 not out.
Westbury bundled out Riverside for just 50 in what was a dismal way for the Blues to bow out off their season.
Tasmania Tigers women's keeper Emma Manix-Geeves (16) was the standout against the Shamrocks attack.
Jono Chapman picked up a 12-wicket match haul, adding 4-17 to go with his 8-16.
Daniel Murfet fell just four short of his century and Corey Briggs hit 57 to get the hosts to declare at 6-232.
"We set our goals and we needed to win big," Westbury captain Richard Howe said.
"It's always good to finish on top, have the week off and put ourselves in the best possible position we could."
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