For the third occasion in no less than four summers, challengers Launceston will clash with reigning premiers South Launceston in an all too familiar battle for Cricket North's female supremacy.
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The Knights have reigned in all of the past grand finals, but the Lions are surging into contention ahead of next Saturday's meeting on the back of an easy win over Riverside.
The two sides were set to battle at Windsor Park for the final spot in the T20 decider.
Riverside had not played in a female grand final since the 2017-18 season and last took a flag home in 2014-15.
The hosts though looked a fair way off from those glory days during a 45-run defeat.
Launceston beat up their Saturday adversaries in all areas, first cruising towards 2-114 without much trouble.
Riverside removed Stacey Norton-Smith (14) and Victoria Geale (6) early on.
But Lynn Headley carried her bat for 39 while Ianthe Boden, who recently crossed over from Riverside, finished with an unbeaten 40.
The Blues, in reply, were restricted soon after to 9-69.
It was the fourth time in six results Riverside failed to pass a four-an-over 80 and never had its batters reached three figures this season.
Georgie Nicholson starred with the ball for Launceston, picking up a tight 3-6 in 18 balls while Lions teammate Amy Pereira earned 2-4 and Charlotte Layton 2-18.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
South Launceston tuned up preparations for its sixth consecutive grand final in the final round with Mowbray.
The Knights just displayed their usual flamboyancy out in the middle with the bat.
Amy Duggan opened up with 31 off 36 balls, Alice McLauchlan then joined her teammate with 31 off 24 while Meg Radford finished the innings with an unbeaten 29 off 23 to amass 4-134.
It was South Launceston's lowest score this campaign when batting first.
The only other three times Belinda Wegman's side had posted 7-137, 3-146 and 3-159 off 20 overs after an interrupted start to the summer.
The two times the Knights chased they suffered the sole defeat by six runs or lost 4-28 before winning with 5-73.
Mowbray, who following Riverside's defeat could have avoided the wooden spoon with victory, were never in the run chase at Youngtown.
Captain Dana Lester top-scored with 19 from 28 deliveries after opener Cassie Blair struck 15 from 24.
But the Eagles could only muster a stagnant 5-63 in the end for a 71-run loss.
McLauchlan capped off a good all-round day, bowling four overs for 2-10.
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
