IT is semi-final weekend for the Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) with two intriguing finals scheduled for this afternoon.

Minor premier, College, will host fourth-placed St Andrew’s at College Turf in a game the home side will fancy itself to win.

The Eagles dropped their Twenty20 clash to the Drews in round four but bounced back to win both 45-over contests, giving the home side confidence it can put together another strong performance.

Only three Drews batsmen scored more than eight runs in round nine with skipper, Brendan Huf (67-not-out), carrying the team to 147, while round 18 was a more balanced effort, the team still only put on 8-158.

The Eagles chased the targets down in 37.2 and 40.2 overs respectively, as the Drews simply must put more runs on the board to be competitive.

College’s Charles Murrie returns to the team today after missing last week and goes into today’s clash off the back of a half century against the Drews in the past two matches.

Hamish Bailey is also going into the clash in red hot form, scoring 149-not-out against Casterton District last week and will offer plenty of support in the top order.

With home ground advantage and a fast outfield, College will be out to qualify or its first A grade final since the 2013-14 season, while the Drews last qualified for the season decider in 2018-19.

Hamilton v Macarthur

THE other semi-final also seems to favour the home side, as the Blues are 2-0 against the Demons with the T20 clash early in the season washed out.

Despite losing some key players, Hamilton has found a successful balance and come into this afternoon’s clash primed for a sudden death contest after needing to defeat Pigeon Ponds last week to qualify for the top four.

Only 12 runs separates the two teams for runs against across the season, but Macarthur has scored 27 more runs than the Blues.

It is a game which will come down to key moments and both teams have key personnel who can take control of the contest.

Macarthur brought in Kyall Timms to strengthen the side midway through the season and he has scored 290 runs at 58 in six innings, along with eight wickets.

Both sides also have quality spinners with Blues captain, Brandon Weatherson, and young Demon, Ollie Wortley, hoping for some grip on the Dahl Turf surface.

The Blues are searching for their fourth consecutive appearance in the Dundas Cup final, while Macarthur last contested the final in 2017-18.