THE Hamilton and District Cricket Association men’s representative team has smashed Wimmera Mallee to qualify for the Festival of Cricket final next month.

The Hurricanes looked unlikely going into Sunday’s contest at Horsham City Oval, but the locals impressed with a dominant seven-wicket victory.

Hamilton won the toss and elected to bowl first with Angus Harms and Lachie Watt taking the new ball.

Watt’s effective bowling restricted runs in the early overs, while Harms attacked the stumps in search of wickets.

It wasn’t until the ball softened that Brandon Weatherson got his chance and the off-spinner made the most of his chances.

Wimmera Mallee was 4-92 when Weatherson claimed his first wicket of the day, prompting a batting collapse from the middle and lower order.

Weatherson finished with 5-21 from just shy of nine overs, as the Hurricanes bowled Wimmera Mallee out for 149.

Brendan Huf grabbed two wickets, while Harms and Hamish Cook finished with one each.

The job wasn’t done though, as Hamilton had to chase down the runs and an aggressive mindset was evident from the outset.

Ollie Wortley and Huf opened the innings and the pair put on 22 before Wortley fell for 11.

Tobi Cook was next to the crease and continued the scoring onslaught.

Cook looked comfortable throughout his innings, bringing up his half century in rapid time, before he was dismissed for 50 from just 31 balls.

The 70-run partnership with Huf set the foundation for the Hurricanes, as Hamilton continued to attack the Wimmera Mallee bowlers.

Zach Burgess chipped in with 19, while Charlie Summers (one-not-out) and Huf (65-not-out) saw the Hurricanes pass the target in the 26th over.

The comfortable win boosted Hamilton’s net run rate, moving the Hurricanes up to second on the North Pool ladder after the round robin stage to set up a clash against Warrnambool in the final.

The decider is scheduled for February 6 and will be played at Monivae.