The National High School ground here was not a place for the faint-hearted on Saturday. Both the semifinals of the all-India invitational cricket tournament for the MTR-Nivarana Basavanagudi Cup turned out to be thrillers.

Canara Bank and Hyderabad Cricket Association XI came through agonising moments to set up a title clash with last-ball victories in the 30-over semifinals.

Canara prevailed over Rail Wheel Factory by just two runs, while the visiting Hyderabad outfit edged out Vijaya Bank by four wickets, scoring the winning runs off the last ball.

After Friday's shock win over State Bank of Mysore, there was an added spring in the steps of RWF players, and understandably so. For the better part of the clash, they matched Canara Bank in every department. Unfortunately, they could not apply the finishing touches.

Batting first, Canara made 198 all out in 29 overs. Bankmen found their man in KB Pawan, who made a gritty 59 who found an able ally in Deepak Chowgule (36).

Chasing 199, RWF, despite useful contributions from Yere Goud (26), Prasanna Patil (43) and SP Manjunath (33), fell short by two runs.

In the other match, VIjaya made 181 in 27.4 overs with CM Gautham top-scoring with 43. Needing 182 for a victory, Hyderabad were served well by Danny Prince, who notched up his second successive half-century to guide his team home. He remained unconquered on 88 in his team's total of 182 for six.

Brief scores (Semifinals):

Vijaya Bank: 181 all out in 27.4 overs (Shyam Ponnappa 28, CM Manjunath 43, DC Rajesh 38; Khader 2-27, Santosh Yadav 3-43, Shiv Shankar 3-26) lt to Hyderabad Cricket Association  XI: 182/6 in 30 overs (Danny Prince 88 n.o., Khader 27).

Canara Bank: 198 all out in 29 overs (KB Pawan 59, Deepak Chougule 36; Asgar Pasha 3-44, SP Manjunath 3-32) bt Rail Wheel Factory: 196/8 in 30 overs (Yere Goud 26, Prasanna Patil 43, SP Manjunath 33; Aditya B Sagar 2-28, Sunil Joshi 2-51, Rajashekar 3-27).