Batting: Will Costigan 43, Cholan Tharmarajah 23*

Bowling: Will Costigan (3/9), Emmett Posener (2/18)

Player of the match: Emmett Posener

On a cool morning in Charnwood, the smell of winter sport was in the air. But AFL and soccer would have to wait because today was Navy's chance to make the semi finals.

Overnight rain and a steady morning drizzle left the outfield sluggish, and GJCC made the sensible decision at the toss to bowl first.

Navy’s openers strode out with intent. The first three overs went to plan, yielding close to 20 runs. But cricket can turn quickly and in the fourth over, a sharp piece of fielding produced a run out, despite Kalum's sprinting efforts.

Will held firm, working through partnerships with Isaac and then Noah before reaching his 30-ball retirement in the 12th over. At 2/62, Navy were building nicely. However, wickets in the 14th and 16th overs slowed progress and left the innings delicately poised.

Cholan provided much-needed composure, batting steadily to reach his retirement and push for a competitive total. While the tail couldn’t quite add late runs, Emmett played a valuable supporting role, ensuring Will - returning after retirement - faced as many deliveries as possible in the closing stages, before a powerful pull shot which looked destined for the fence instead stuck safely in a GJCC fielder’s hands, bringing the innings to a close at 159.

It was a defendable total and the message to the boys was clear. With the new ball in hand, Navy burst out of the blocks. Emmett struck twice in the opening exchanges, Kemith chimed in with another, and after three overs GJCC were under genuine pressure. Energy was high and belief even higher.

But a season’s experience has taught this group that momentum in cricket is fragile. The fourth wicket didn’t arrive until the 10th over, and patience was required.

Enter Will’s newly discovered spin which brought wickets five, six and seven, keeping GJCC behind the required rate. The final wicket, however, refused to fall. GJCC battled on, steady but never quite threatening.

Fittingly, it was Will who ended it. A moment of brilliance from barely two feet inside the boundary. A direct hit sealed the win in style.

Unfortunately, results elsewhere meant Navy fell just short of a semi-final berth. Still, this was a performance to be proud of.