Emu Creek requires 101 runs with six wickets in hand to defeat minor premier Spring Gully in the Emu Valley Cricket Association semi-finals.
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After upstaging the Crows in the final round to book a finals berth, Emu Creek gave itself a great chance to repeat the dose when it bowled Spring Gully out for 148.
Rhys Webb (42) and Shaun Makepace (39) had put the Crows in a strong position, but the flag favourites fell away badly with the bat.
From 3-114 they lost their final seven wickets for just 34 runs to be all out for 148.
Opening bowler Luke Bennett (5-21) was the main man with the ball for Emu Creek.
Photo gallery: Spring Gully v Emu Creek
Emu Creek had 19 overs to face on day one and its run chase started terribly when Brent Downie was adjudged lbw first ball of the innings.
Emu Creek's top three batsmen were all given out lbw as it slumped to 3-14.
Simon Marwood batted aggressively in a quickfire 31, but he fell just before stumps.
Emu Creek will resume on Sunday at 4-48, with Coby Hansen on four and Justin Hancock on six.
Tyrone Downie is yet to bat and could have a big say on the outcome of the game.
Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, reigning premier Sedgwick posted 9-171 against United.
Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve is not the most pleasant venue for cricket when there's a gentle zephyr.
Saturday's strong winds were heavenly for those flying kites on the main footy oval, but a nightmare for the Tigers and Rams' players on the cricket ground.
For much of the day it didn't look like the Rams would reach 150, so they would have been reasonably happy to finish 9-171.
Dustin Elliott (46) was the backbone of the innings before Jordan Ilsley (38) and Scott McKenzie (33 not out) lifted the run rate late in the day.
Tigers' captain Harry Whittle bowled 32 overs unchanged with the wind in his first spell.
After a quick break, Whittle returned to bowl four overs into the wind and finished with figures of 5-50 off 36 overs, including 13 maidens.
Spinner Patrick Hartney also had a big day, bowling 26 overs for figures of 1-73.
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