The Blue Panthers restricted Homers to just 9-95 with an excellent bowling display, before reaching their target with nine wickets and 52 balls remaining.

It is the first time Homers have missed out on an A Grade premiership in any format since the 2015-2016 season, when Rup-Minyip claimed the two-day flag.

The Blue Panthers won the toss on Sunday and a decision to bowl was vindicated almost immediately, as Mark Mbofana took an athletic catch running back with the flight of the ball to dismiss Simon Hopper for just six runs.

Homers' captain Adam Atwood steadied the ship, timing them superbly and looking dangerous alongside first-drop Chaminda Gamage (15).

Atwood however saw his bails depart courtesy of right-arm tweaker Adam Carter, leaving Homers at 3-64 and exposing this side's vulnerable middle order.

"Getting Adam Atwood out when he was in that mid-30 period was big," Rup-Minyip captain Dan Schaper said.

"He looked in good touch, so that was important."

Rup-Minyip youngster Bailey Young then capitalised on the Pigeons' fresh batsman trying to up the run-rate, as Craig Britten skied an ill-advised slog to mid-on, before Young trapped Jett Hopper LBW for a golden duck.

Young's hattrick ball was calmly cut away by youngster Paddy Mills (16), who played some confident strokes in an attempt to salvage his side's innings.

But the Pigeons' tail didn't wag, as frustration mounted, the run rate plummeted and wickets continued to fall.

Mills was run out coming back for a second on the final ball of the innings, and 95 proved not enough against Rup-Minyip's top order.

"I thought Adam (Carter) and Bailey Young bowled really well through that middle period, and our fielding overall was pretty well done as well," Schaper said.

The Blue Panthers started the run chase in fine fashion, as Brent Hudson issued a statement of intent by belting two sixes in the first over.

"Huddo just decided to go for it," Schaper said.

"He has a great eye when he gets going, and he took the pressure off that middle order."

The only brief moment of doubt in Rup-Minyip's run chase came when Mohan Bandara's first delivery beat Hudson with sheer pace, slicing through the gate and cannoning into middle stump.

Bandara's celebration suggested Homers still had belief, and his next delivery could well have been a game changer, as in-form bat Mark Mbofana came to the crease.

Bandara rifled one into a striding Mbofana's front pad, and, sensing the gravity of the situation, the field erupted in an animated appeal.

But they couldn't convince the umpire, and Mbofana went on to take the game away from Homers, delighting a healthy crowd with seven boundaries on his way to 49 not out.

Mbofana claimed man of the match honours for his performance with the bat, while Jamie Byrne (13 not out) came along for the ride.

It caps off a remarkable weekend for Mbofana, after he made an unbeaten 159 on day two against the Jung Tigers on Saturday.

Schaper hoped the short-form premiership could be a building block for his side, with just two rounds left in the regular season.

"We've obviously got two really hard games coming up in the two-dayers with Saints and then Homers," Schaper said.

"Nothing is guaranteed at the moment, which is exciting for the league.

"Hopefully we can play some good cricket and see how we go."

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