Heading into the final day on Saturday, there was only one contest that could have any bearing on the finals series, with Barooga and Nathalia battling it out to determine who would finish in second spot on the ladder, and with it, home ground advantage come the postseason.
Day one saw Nathalia post a total of 10-260 from 65.5 overs after Brenton Campbell belted 149 runs, while Hawks skipper Riyaad Henry snared six scalps to have his side batting before stumps.
The 14-over period Barooga faced proved disastrous, though, as the home side found itself without Henry or Murphy Stephens at the close of play, resuming on day two at Barooga Recreation Reserve at 2-33, with Zach Dunn and Crue Lucas at the crease.
Saturday saw the pair begin cautiously, adding 29 runs in 13 overs as they pushed beyond 50 together.
But Nathalia soon found the breakthrough, with Dunn dismissed for 29 off the bowling of James Nugent (1-4) as Barooga stumbled to 3-62, bringing Ethan Bovalina to the middle alongside Lucas.
It proved tough going for the pair, with scoring made extremely difficult; however, the duo toughed it out for 16 overs, defying the hostile Nathalia attack in the process.
Eventually, though, Nathalia claimed the scalp of Lucas, who had fought valiantly to contribute 39 runs from 113 balls as he tried to salvage the contest for his side, but it was to no avail, as the Hawks fell to 4-92.
New batter Harvey Johnson found things no easier, facing 15 deliveries for one run before he too was sent packing by Scotty Morris, as Nathalia reduced the home side to 5-97 and began to build momentum.
Hugh Sutton was the new batter for Barooga and he took it to the visitors, blasting three boundaries en route to 15. The cameo was short lived, however, as Luke Quinn (2-8) claimed a second scalp to leave the Hawks in trouble at 6-116.
That soon became 7-117 as Morris continued his blitz with ball in hand, snaring a second and taking care of Riley Gow (1), and while Jonathon Oliver joined Bovalina for a last-ditch effort, adding 22 for the eighth wicket, that too came crashing down.
Oliver was removed for eight by Zander Quinn (1-14) in the 64th over, leaving the Hawks staring down the barrel at 8-139, while Bovalina, who had crawled his way to 27 from 105 deliveries, was sent packing five balls later, as Morris claimed his third and snuffed out any hope that remained for Barooga, however faint it was.
It was made official two overs later, with Morris snaring the scalp of Kohen Haddrell to bring his figures to 4-42 for the innings and bring the Hawks’ resistance to an end with 149 on the board, earning a mammoth 111-run victory.
The win is a big blow for Barooga, which now slips to third on the ladder following the loss, having sat second for much of the season, giving Nathalia the home ground advantage for the semi-final, which will see the two sides face off at Nathalia Recreation Reserve in a two-day contest, starting this Saturday.
In the other contests, Cobram and Deniliquin previewed the first semi-final; however, it was the reigning premier that dominated proceedings.
Already locked into first and fourth spot, respectively, Cobram obliterated Deniliquin to win by six wickets, having bowled restricted the Rhinos to 7-209 on day one.
Saturday saw Cobram smack the ball to all areas, with both Hugh Hyde and Adam De Cicco raising the bat to celebrate centuries, making 122 and 108 not out, respectively, as the Tigers posted 4-347 in reply.
The two sides will go at it again this Saturday at Cobram Recreation Reserve, with the first ball of the first semi-final set for 12:30pm.
The final match of the round saw Tocumwal claim its first victory of the season, defeating Katamatite by six runs in a nailbiter.
Having posted a total of 163 on day one, the Bloods were led by 5-38 from Andrew Lean in their efforts in the field, snaring the final three wickets for 19 runs to bowl the Tigers out for 157, ensuring Tocumwal did not finish the season winless.
