Craigieburn’s season came to a bittersweet end in the North A1 division of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
Doomed to finish fifth, Craigieburn went into the final game of the home-and-away season against competition leader Altona Roosters with nothing to lose.
Bowled out for 106 in its first innings, things did not look good for Craigieburn until an inspired turn with the ball.
They needed only 45 overs to bowl the Roosters out for a paltry 94 and shake up the top side’s confidence before the finals series.
Craigieburn batted again, making 138, the Roosters needing 150 for victory. Craigieburn took seven wickets and Altona fell seven runs short.
In North B1, Glenroy assured itself of a home final, beating Flemington. A first-innings total of 114 was more than enough for Glenroy to defend, as Flemington was bowled out for 68.
Glenroy chose to bat again, declaring at 8-141. Flemington was to 8-99 after 45 overs when stumps was called.
Glenroy will host Merlynston Hadfield in a semi-final this weekend.