CYMS captain Ben Knaggs sent the Tigers into bat and it looked a masterstroke as Bailey Edmunds removed Newtown captain Mat Skinner for 0.

Mitch Russo soon followed Skinner back to the sheds after he was caught off Ben O'Donnell also for 0.

Newtown's Steve Skinner and Greg Kerr combined for a 71 run partnership to bring some momentum back into the innings but Kerr was bowled by Paddy Nelson for 26 which sparked the beginning of the end for the Tigers.

Skinner was starved of strike in the final ten overs but managed to finish 80 not out with his side posting 147.

Wickets were shared between the Cougars bowlers with Nelson (2/19) and Edmunds (2/15) claiming the best figures.

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CYMS openers Jake Settree and Strachan strolled to the middle needing 148 from 40 overs before the latter took the match into his own hands.

Strachan took a liking to the Tigers bowling attack, hitting them all around No 1 Oval with a range of shots.

The powerful opener was eventually caught on the boundary off Kerr for 62 off 41 balls including nine fours but much of the damage was done as Coady walked to the crease.

Coady wasted little time in his innings clubbing four fours and as many sixes finishing the game with a six over cover to put the Cougars in the grand final, while Settree finished 34 not out as CYMS reached the total in 22 overs.

Knaggs was full of praise for his side following the win.

"I thought we came out with the ball really well with Buzz and Benno getting them three down for not many, I thought they fought back very well with Steve Skinner and Greg Kerr in the middle but it was an all round effort from us," he said.

"They only scored 25 runs in the last ten to keep them to 147."

Strachan had yet to assert his dominance in a big match this season after showing glimpses against other sides but Knaggs knows how dangerous he is.

"He can take a game from anyone when he is in, I thought he batted extremely well and full credit to Tom Coady and Jake Settree," he said.

"I thought Jake did his job really well opening by taking the ones and giving the boys the strike."

After last season's finals series was cancelled due to COVID which crowned the Cougars champions, Knaggs feels his side is still learning what it takes to dominate the competition.

"We are quite a young team and we are always learning, getting more experience in semi-finals and finals is crucial for us to keep learning and keep improving for seasons to come."

"I know it wasn't the way we wanted to end it last year but this year it's a great effort for us to come out and put Newtown to the sword and get into the GF."

After playing the lone hand for his side, Steve Skinner felt his side had more to give in the game.

"Pretty disappointing way to finish, it probably wasn't our best game but that happens unfortunately." he said.

Skinner admitted he was pleased to score runs but gave credit to the Cougars bowling attack led by Knaggs and Edmunds.

"It's always good to get a few runs against a quality bowling attack with Knaggsy and Buzz who are probably the best combination in Western Zone I reckon but it doesn't really matter when you don't get the win." he said.

CYMS now turn their attention to next Saturday's grand final against RSL Colts who enjoyed the week off after finishing minor premiers.

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