Hairy Ballers were without Matt Eyles, a vital cog in their wins during the season, and crucial to the Ballers fast break game, never the less the minor premiers were in the hunt until the final quarter, with still a chance to win.

However, at no stage did they lead at any break, down 10-8 at quarter time, and 17-15 at half time.

Stride Health may have led, but they were not dominating, and as the scores indicate, they were having trouble shaking off a determined opposition with their sights also set on a grand final berth.

The third quarter, usually when one team or the other breaks free, was a low scoring ten minutes, both teams unable to find a crucial run of points and set up a winning lead, heading into the final period.

The final quarter was a disappointment all round for Hairy Ballers.

Down only five points at the final break, they could not buy a basket and turned the ball over too many times, allowing Stride Health to down a couple of easy lay ups, and suddenly, Hairy Ballers were, for the first time in the match scrambling to catch up, which played right into the hands of the opposition.

Desperate to score points, the Hairy Ballers attempts mostly bounced off a unsympathetic rim, and Stride Health pulling down numerous defensive rebounds from the missed shots, inevitably scored at the other end.

Now in control against a tiring Ballers defence, Stride Health push for victory, and by the final whistle they had outscored their opponents 13-4, to finish decisive winners by sixteen points.

Liam Young for Stride Health, especially in the second half, was hard to contain and scored 13 points, two juniors Phil Riley and Lachlan Mitchell 6 points each.

For Hairy Ballers, Ashley Diprose hit 8 points, a number served up by Martin Howes, Henry Mowat a vigorous game and 4 points.

Hairy Ballers now play Levens Smash Repairs in the final on Saturday, who received a forfeit from Mudgee Pump Company, with apparently a number of players away on schoolies week.

Mudgee Pump Company, after pushing Stride Health all the way in the qualifying semi-final, certainly had the form and the game to trouble the teams they would encounter as the play offs progressed, so it was a huge disappointment for the competition to see them have to forfeit.