Cricket North: Westbury and Launceston battle for grand final supremacy as Jono Chapman takes a haul

Launceston resumed at 1-21 and Joel Lloyd (1-24) refused to let the Lions add to that as he knocked over Cameron Lynch early in proceedings.

Nightwatchman Dravid Rao feathered an edge through to James Tyson to provide Chapman (7-41) with his second wicket. The loss of the Launceston's third caused a Lions' collapse of 5-48.

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The wicket worked in the Shamrocks' favour as it started to deteriorate and keep low which meant batters had to endure a hard graft to score and Chapman took full advantage.

The recent Tasmanian second XI player trapped Lions' captain Alistair Taylor (35 off 26) in front and Chapman's Raiders teammate Oliver Wood condemned the usually free-flowing Dean Thiesfield to the same fate 10 runs later.

Less than an over later, Chapman enticed Charlie Eastoe into a slashing drive that delivered an edge to Kieren Hume.

Tom Gray (33* off 82) and George Maguire added 21 runs before Hume turned wicket-taker to secure the latter's wicket. Maguire looked unconvincing against the spin as he prodded forward and back before leaving a ball destined for his stumps.

Gray and Will Bennett (20 off 60) added 38 runs in a valuable late-order partnership with Gray looking incredibly proficient on the drive. The partnership was concluded by Chapman who trapped Bennett in front.

Gray continued to scrounge valuable late-order innings runs before Chapman further encapsulated his brilliant display by knocking over Daniel Smith and Dihan Cloete within three balls to close the Lions' innings at 139.

"He was phenomenal, he showed his class today and it probably sounds rude to say it's not a surprise but what he did today was fantastic and he deserves every single bit of praise he gets," Westbury captain Daniel Murfet said.

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The Lions needed a fast response and leg-spinner Will Bennett (2-30) provided it as he trapped Matthew Battle adjacent before getting Murfet to miscue a pull-shot to Samuel Elliston Buckley to leave the Shamrocks at 2-20.

The Lions dealt out wickets in clumps as they removed Nathan Parkin (20 off 62) and Chathura Athukorala within five overs of each other. Joe Griffin and Chapman departed within an over of each other.

Launceston coach Andy Gower was in no doubt that his spinning duo of Bennett and Cameron Lynch (3-20) were the key.

"Will was the spark, he got two early wickets for us ... I thought Will bowled beautifully to set the tone and I think Cam's been sensational with the ball, he's come on and really set the standard for a couple of wickets."

Late in the day Launceston was prepared to go left-field with their bowling options as regular wicket-keeper Eastoe ditched the gloves in a scene reminiscent of Matthew Wade against Sri Lanka at Bellerive in 2012.

At the close, the Shamrocks were 233 runs ahead with three wickets remaining ahead of the final day's play at the NTCA No.1 ground.

"Two words: game on," Gower said.

"There are still 96 overs to be played in the day and we'll back ourselves to get the three wickets as quick as we can and whatever the total is we'll have a crack."

Murfet added: "We've still got two nicely set batters at the crease and we saw what number 10 and 11 did in the first innings so we're still looking to bat at the moment and we're pretty clear in our mind what we've got to do."

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