Tatyoon was in complete control and had the Combine on the ropes and struggling at 7/126 in their second innings at the lunch break yesterday when The Ararat Advertiser went to press.

The Combine required a total of 272 runs in the second innings to force an unlikely victory.

It was a grand final in which Tatyoon virtually had control from the opening day, despite getting away to a shaky start.

With captain Ash Maconachie winning the toss and electing to bat on their home turf, Taty looked in trouble early at 3/15.

All-rounder Tim McDougall and wicketkeeper Darren Beer took the score from 4/41 to 5/85 when McDougall (25) was dismissed.

Beer went on top score with his 40 runs, while some big hitting from tailender Jake Williamson, who smacked a quick fire 37 runs which included six fours, saw the Tatyoon first innings score reach 181 runs.

With veteran paceman Marc Brilliant sidelined with a groin injury after bowling 11 overs, it was Tom Eckel (4/50) and Jamie Bach (3/40) who did the damage for Swifts/Great Western

The Combine in their run chase were in trouble from the outset.

Williamson was again in the thick of the action as the Tatyoon paceman claimed the key wickets of opener Sam Cocks (7) and GCA leading run scorer Travis Nicholson (19).

Tim McDougall also ripped through the middle order to have the Combine on the back foot at 6/44.

It was only Rick Peters who flew the flag for the Combine with his innings of 66 runs, which included 11 fours, seeing Swift/Great Western reach 8/81 at stumps.

The resistance was short lived however, with the Combine bundled out for 111 runs early on day two.

McDougall (4/42) and Williamson (3/52) dominated.

With a lead of 70 runs on the first innings, Tatyoon soon built on this with Beer again in the runs and opener Matt Moore adding support.

In Tatyoon's second innings Beer scored 73 runs and Moore 45 in a score of 201 runs.

Jamie Bach from his 23 overs was the workhorse for the Combine and he finished with 6/68.

After Williamson again sent Cocks (6) on his way, the Swifts/Great Western second innings did settle a little until just before stumps.

With two overs remaining Tatyoon spinner Matt Harris made the break through when he bowled Nicholson (24), while in the final over Devery (9) was also dismissed.

Resuming day three on 3/39 the Combine faced a huge task and the challenge became even bigger when the side slumped to be 7/126 at lunch.

Yesterday afternoon saw Swift/Great Western's tail-end do its best to delay the inevitable, with Tatyoon prime to claim a Grampians Cricket Association three-peat.

When The Ararat Advertiser went to press Chalambar was also well in control of its B grade grand final clash against Navarre on day three, with a lead of 135 runs and nine wickets in hand during the second innings just before the lunch break.

While in C grade Aradale wrapped up the premiership title by winning the opening two one day games, in the best of three contest against Rhymney/Moyston.

Details of these grand finals will be published in Friday's edition of The Ararat Advertiser.