Led by a sensational 93 not out from Australian Twenty20 international batsman Travis Birt and fellow Aussie limited overs rep Tim Paine's 57, the Tigers secured victory with just one ball to spare to book a place in the Ford Ranger Cup final on Saturday week where they will meet either Queensland or Victoria.

 

The Warriors started the day knowing a win would almost certainly secure a top two finish and subsequently qualify for the competition showpiece, and there was a promising start when skipper Marcus North won the toss and had no hesitation in making first use of the same wicket which was used for last week's Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield match between WA and South Australia.

 

The Tigers put the clamps on early and with scoring difficult the wickets fell regularly as the home side slipped to 4-73. Mitch Marsh did his best to get the Warriors back into the match with 42, and Luke Ronchi (55) and Matt Johnston (39) combined for a 75-run sixth wicket stand that enabled their side to reach 7-231 from their 50 overs.

 

The reliable Xavier Doherty was the best of the Tasmanian bowlers, with the left-arm orthodox spinner taking 4-32 from his ten. Brendan Drew picked up 2-31 to be the other multiple wicket-taker.

 

The Warriors struck early in the visitors' run chase with Brad Knowles sending Michael Dighton on his way for one, but Paine and Ed Cowan (29) steadied the ship with a half-century stand.

 

North removed Cowan and George Bailey (14) - both caught by Nathan Coulter-Nile - to ensure the match was evenly poised at 3-82, but Birt came to the wicket and announced his intentions immediately by picking up two runs from his first delivery and belting a six over mid wicket not long after.

 

Paine received two lives before reaching his half-century, and he fell a short time later leg before wicket to Aaron Heal. North then took his third wicket of the innings, that of Daniel Marsh for seven, and the Warriors put their noses in front with the Tigers needing 66 with five wickets in hand and more than a run a ball required.

 

Birt found a willing ally in Jason Krejza (22 not out) and they guided the visitors through to the four points which gives them a tilt at their second domestic one-day title in three seasons.

 

The two teams back up on Friday for a Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground. With the Warriors in fourth place (12 points) and the Tigers one spot further back (11 points), an outright result will be vital to either side's hopes of reaching the interstate four-day competition finale.