Central would have known they had a tough chase on their hands, but could not respond in turn and were removed for just 127. Deeble in particular proved lethal at the bowling crease by taking six wickets at a cost of just 20 runs.
The result gave the Cadets the first berth in next weekend's title decider - and Central had just one more go at making it through.
After the defeat, captain Jason Trembath had admitted the result was "disappointing" but tried to remain upbeat about his side's tournament chances.
He insisted his squad was "the strongest team on paper for a few years, and we've got the belief to do it".
"It's a true knockout semifinal now," he said.
Central then took on Carrus Mount Maunganui yesterday, and Trembath's team might have been encouraged by the opposition's uneven performance in their previous match.
In a minor semifinal that was a gift to the neutral but surely nail-biting for the two teams' fans, Mount Maunganui had won by just a solitary wicket against reigning cup holders City Sports Bar Te Puke.
Te Puke had gone down for a modest 159 runs, but the Mount made heavy work of the reply before rallying to book their place in yesterday's match-up with Central.
As he prepared to take on the Mount, Trembath had said it would mean a lot for his team to get through.
"We haven't made the final for about five years, so it would be a great achievement."
Sadly, it wasn't to be. The Mount put up 225, and Rotorua was bowled out for 110.
Trembath and his team will now have to wait another year before trying to take home the biggest prize in Bay cricket.
