The Hornets were downed by Orange Physiotherapy Vipers in a thrilling three-point game and while the students threatened to overrun their third-placed opponents, they couldn't quite get over the line in the 35-32 elimination final.

Up by three points at half time, the Vipers pulled the momentum in their direction with a mammoth third quarter, scoring 11 goals to five and giving themselves a nine point buffer at the final change.

However, the Hornets were fired up in the final stanza and while pegged six goals back on the Vipers in a 13-7 quarter, it wasn't enough to draw level in what Vipers coach Lynne Middleton called a "fantastic game".

"They were coming hard, my girls are three times their age and it seemed like in most games against them we'd put a lot of effort into the first few quarters and tend to fade a little in the last quarter," Middleton said.

However, the low-scoring affair was a point of pride for the Vipers, who have made a point of being miserly in defence and preventing other sides from scoring.

With just 67 points scored by both sides - less than some individual team efforts this season - Middleton said both defensive units worked "magnificently" in denying shooters the chance to score.

"The defensive unit from the goal keeper, goal defence, wing defence and even centre to an extent were all brilliant," she said.

However, the Vipers are "definitely" excited to have made it through to the next round and Middleton said the side was determined to "go all the way" in 2019.

The Vipers mentor had nothing but praise for the Hornets opponents, with the ledger at one-all in wins during the regular season.

"These girls are excited and we knew it'd be a hard game," Middleton said.

"Given their whole season in division one they'll be right up there next year, very tough to beat in 2020."

Meanwhile, Orange City proved too strong for Life Studio in the semi final, with the Lions winning straight through to the grand final in a fortnight's time.

The Mardi Aplin-led Life Studio side, which went down 50-44 on Saturday, will now come up against the red-hot Vipers this Saturday.

Meanwhile in the Jeep Cup, Byng Street Beacons have booked a ticket to the second division grand final after a 42-35 win over Hawks Terry White Chemmart.

They'll play the winner of the second division Hawks derby as the Chemmart side takes on Hawks Duncan Baird toppled Kinross in the elimination final.

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