Hopper took Portland's bowling attack to task from ball one, crafting his way to an undefeated 144.

Homers' young gun found 88 runs through boundaries alone, in what coach Simon Hopper described as one of the best innings the country week carnival had ever witnessed.

"I made comment to the group between innings that it was probably the best individual junior innings that I've seen from anyone," Simon Hopper said.

"When he gets going he's like the Twenty20 players. He hits the ball really hard and hits through good regions, through cover and over cover and he hits straight well. When he gets going he's good to watch.

"At that age, he's still only 14, it's pretty impressive."

Hopper found support in fellow opener Will Gellatly (13), whose patient knock nullified Portland's wicket-taking threats.

The pair shared a 66-run opening stand, before two quick wickets ushered Hugh Dougherty to the crease.

Dougherty (23) proved a good foil to the free-flowing Hopper, the two rotating the strike well in their 90-run partnership.

Simon Hopper - Jett's uncle - said Dougherty and Logan Millar (16) offered good support.

"Hugh batted quite well in the middle and Logan Millar, who's having a good week, continued to bat well at the end," he said.

It was Dougherty watching at the other end, heart in mouth, when Hopper skied the ball to deep square-leg, only to be dropped on 94.

The reprieve set Hopper back on task, the century coming the next over with a boundary through the leg side.

The nonchalant celebration - or lack thereof - signalled the captain's intent heading into the final five overs.

Hopper would not concede a dot ball in the final five overs and hit three boundaries in the penultimate over to see HCA through to 220.

Two early wickets to opening bowler Ammarr Khan (2-15) saw Portland start the run-chase on the back foot.

The visitors recovered from 2-11, but wickets in the middle overs haltered the momentum.

Connor Weidemann (1-9), Logan Millar (1-8) and Jordy Laverty (1-11) all contributed wickets.

HCA rotated through its bowling attack, finding economical options with ease.

"We've got a good group of bowlers that can bowl reasonably accurate," Hopper said.

Jett Hopper (2-13) would influence the game again, finding late wickets to restrict Portland to 106 at the end of 40 overs.

Horsham will now face the undefeated Colac in the semi-final at Coughlin Park tomorrow.

Wimmera-Mallee is also semi-final bound after a strong 72-run victory against Warrnambool Gold.

Batting first, Will Deason (41) set a platform masterfully at the top of the innings, before Aaron Schofield (48) carried the momentum through as the innings wore on.

Handy lower-order contributions saw Wimmera-Mallee post an imposing 207.

Warrnambool Gold weren't allowed to build a chase, with accurate bowling tying them down.

Patrick Sheahan (3-15) was the pick of the bowlers, with Aaron Schofield (2-22) also contributing with the ball.

Wimmera-Mallee face Warrnambool Blue in tomorrow's semi-final at City Oval.

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