A dominant bowling performance was the catalyst for the upset victory over the minor premiers, as Keith Berry tore through the Students’ batting line-up with a scintillating 4.3 over spell of 4-7.
Winning the toss and batting first, Old Students looked to continue its momentum from a dominant home-and-away season by piling on a big first innings total.
But coming into the game with nothing to lose, Nagambie was attacking from the outset, with a double strike by opener Bo Harrison putting Old Students under pressure early.
Andrew Bock (28) and Michael Drew (16) went about rebuilding the Students’ innings with a 32-run stand, before a patient 20 by skipper Ross Hammer brought them back on level terms.
Enter Berry.
Coming into the attack at third change, Berry immediately took command of the crease with his exemplary line and length making life difficult for the batters.
Unable to get him off the square, Old Students quickly fell in a heap, losing a remarkable 8-42 to be bowled out for just 93.
Facing a tricky chase of 94, Berry got the Lakers off to a fast start with 13 off 11 balls, before Jeremy Ezard dug in at the other end.
Brian Morris joined Ezard at the crease and continued the positive momentum for Nagambie with a quick-fire 24 off 26, before Harrison came to the middle and took the game away from Students with a dominant 38 off 43.
After being named in the E-grade Team of the Year last week, Ezard carried his bat through the chase, finishing with a patient 13 off 81 balls as his team got to the total in 28.5 overs with six wickets in the sheds.
The Lakers will now face third-placed Waaia in a grand final showdown after the Bombers upset Mooroopna by five wickets in the other semi-final.
The Whitelock Shield grand final will take place at Kialla Park number two on Saturday, with the game slated to start at 12.30pm.
