A close, physical, defensive first quarter stymied most scoring opportunities, Predators just ahead 7-6 at the break.

The game opened up in the second quarter, Anthony Hamson and Ben Edmunds- with no points in the first period -combined for ten points to extend Predators' lead to seven, despite a late three pointer by Adam Keightley for Mayso's Pro Shop.

Keightley and Edmunds went head to head in the vital third quarter, Edmunds coming out on top as he slipped the desperate defence to muscle into space under the basket and hit thirteen points, three more than the combined total from Keightley with seven points- including a long range three point bomb and Peter Mayson, four points, Predators leading at the final break, 38-25.

Trailing by thirteen points, Mayso's required an early resurgence in the final quarter, and Adam Keightley responded by dropping two bombs well out from the circle to put his team on the front foot, but a banked three pointer by Jeremy Yeo balanced the ledger, and once again Mayso's were fighting desperately for survival.

Despite a concerted effort at both ends of the court, Mayso's were unable to close in on the Predators lead, both teams going point for point in the latter stages, Predators hanging on to their advantage at the final break to win by fourteen points.

Ben Edmunds top scored for Predators with 24 points, Anthony Hamson 9, while Mayso's Pro Shop top scorers were Adam Keightley hitting 28 points, Peter Mayson 9.

Predators now play Just Brick It in the grand final on Saturday, November 28.

The B grade men's semi-finals were also played on Monday night, Stride Health, after leading 31-11 at half time, outlasted a fast finishing Mudgee Pump Company - 32-16 in the second half - 47-43.

Liam Young hit 19 points for Stride Health, Phil Riley 10. For Mudgee Pump Company, Fletcher Rawlinson 23, Nick Carter and Nick Ghanem 8 each.

Levens Smash Repairs downed Ross's Big Ballers 34-26 in the elimination semi-final after leading 17-7 at the long break.

Ross's Big Ballers hit back strongly in the second half, drawing 8 all in the third quarter, and taking the final period 11-9. But it was all too late, they fell short by eight points, much to the relief of their opponents, who thought they had it sown up at half time.

Ben Thompson 14 points and Simon Leven 10, headed the Leven's scoring, Matt Perring 8 points, Thomas Jackson and Harrison Maynard 5 points each for Ross's Big Ballers.

Stride Health take on Hairy Ballers in the major semi-final and Levens Smash Repairs play Mudgee Pump Company in the minor semi-final on Monday, November 23 at the PCYC.