Two-weeks ago after Terrace slumped to their third loss in a row, Norths would have been clear favourites but that all changed in the semi-finals with the Lions batsmen accumulating 8/318 against Thornton.

Terrace skipper Steve Smith made 88 and Jaymes Thomas 92 and there was plenty of strong support with Jonathon Halloran chiming in with 52 and Joe Harden and Aaron Bills both making 30s.

“It was inevitable that our batting would turn around and thankfully it did in the semi-final,” Smith who had watched his team dispatched for 89 and 71 in the last two rounds of the season.

“Almost all of us got good time out in the middle and got in the runs,” he said.

“Thornton gave us a great game and Nick Savage stood up again taking five wickets to ensure our victory.

“It was a lot closer than we would have liked but the important thing is we got through and are in the grand final.”

The two teams have played twice this season with one win each. The most recent result went Norths way when they dismissed the Lions for 71 and cruised to a nine-wicket win at Jack Collins Oval.

The venue for this weekend’s grand final is Robins Oval and both captains took notes and a keen interest in the pitch which will be used in the big game.

“It looks all right, it should come up good with a bit of water. There were plenty of runs scored on it at the weekend,” Norths skipper Mike Wilson said.

Given, Raymond Terrace’s performance in the semi-final Wilson expects a big-scoring grand final and a close contest.

“They certainly turned their form around with the bat. They have plenty of good batsmen and bat deep,” Wilson said.

“We had a good hit-out against City and apart from Will (Fort) most of our top order got plenty of time out in the middle.

“I managed to get some runs and Lincoln Mills gave us a good start again.

“Luke Stewart was in really good form hitting the ball really well and Logan Smith batted well.” 

Wilson said the biggest danger for Norths was the bowling of Nick Savage and leg-spinner Aaron Bills.

“We have to really be on our guard against Nick and Aaron. They are both very good bowlers and a constant threat,” he said.

Savage finished with 5-71 for Terrace in the semi-final, but Norths paceman Ben Sayers finished with an equally impressive 5-59.

Norths spinner Jordan Callinan only grabbed the one wicket, but conceded just 19 runs from his 17 overs to turn the screws on City United’s batsmen.

“Ben had a great game and deserved his five wicket haul. That’s just the type of form you want a crucial member of your bowling attack to be in going into the grand final,” Wilson said.

“It should be a terrific game between the two best performed teams of the year.”

Play on Saturday and Sunday starts at 12.30pm.