With three of the four finals spots sewn up ahead of the final round, Smash Bros were in the box seat to claim the final place, with a win over Tall Timbers by any margin guaranteeing them fourth place.
Missing their number two player for the night, the Bros put their faith in a rotating cast of substitute players.
Their confidence paid off in the early going and Smash Bros snagged a quick 3-1 lead, including success in the first doubles.
Another promising round of singles put the finals within reach as the advantage was extended to 5-2.
A tense second doubles could have gone either way, but Tall Timber were the unlucky losers in the five-game thriller, Smash Bros sealing the match 11-13, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4.
With the overall result determined, Tall Timber worked hard to add some respectability to the scoreline over the final singles block, with the final score of 7-4 in favour of Smash Bros.
Meanwhile, Snap Crackle and Pop were desperate for a result against second-placed Dragons, which could have earned them a finals berth had Smash Bros lost.
The tie started poorly for SCP as Dragons grabbed an early 3-1 advantage courtesy of taking the first doubles.
However, after the second doubles went their way, the match was all tied up with three singles to play.
A pair of five-game wars saw each side narrowly escape with a win, but it was in the final match SCP staked their claim, taking it 11-7, 11-2, 11-7, doing all they could in a bid to make finals.
Racket Scientists were looking for a win to guarantee themselves the minor premiership, and an easier finals road.
They faced up to Andromeda, who also went into the night with hopes of dethroning Smash Bros for fourth place.
Scientists began the match with purpose, jumping to a 4-1 lead in the opening exchanges.
Andromeda fought back to 4-3, but when the second doubles of the night went Scientists' way, the minor premiership was all but secured.
The game was quickly closed out in the very next rubber, and Racket Scientists cruised home to win 7-4.
No. 1 Draft Pick had their final opportunity to earn a maiden win but came up against a Rebels side looking to move up from third position.
Things were looking up in the first encounter as a five-game war fell Draft Pick’s way 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 3-11, 11-7.
Their hopes improved further when they claimed the first doubles, but Rebels weren’t about to let the result get away so easily.
The finals-bound side went on a five-match run, allowing it to claw back the deficit, level things up in the second doubles and then burst past Draft Pick to seal the match 6-4.
Draft Pick reduced the margin to 6-5 on the final scorecard but were left to pick up the pieces after a winless campaign.
The final match on the night was for little but pride as eighth-placed Loopers took on ninth-side CBD.
Buoyed by a maiden win last time out, a much-changed CBD, featuring two fill-in players, made a good accounting for themselves, jumping out to a 4-1 advantage including taking the first doubles.
The second doubles went the way of Loopers but, in a thrilling finish, CBD was able to get home 6-5 after a 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8 victory in the final rubber.
Wednesday’s semi-finals will see minor premiers Racket Scientists take on Smash Bros, while Rebels will face Dragons.
Final ladder
1. Racket Scientists 8-1 (+19)
2. Rebels 7-2 (+9)
3. Dragons 6-3 (+13)
4. Smash Bros 6-3 (+5)
5. Snap Crackle and Pop 5-4 (+1)
6. Andromeda 4-5 (+1)
7. Tall Timber 4-5 (-3)
8. Loopers 3-6 (-9)
9. CBD 2-7 (-19)
10. No. 1 Draft Pick 0-9 (-17)
Semi-finals
Racket Scientists vs Smash Bros
Rebels vs Dragons
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