Lavington is the champion after a rain-affected drawn grand final against North Albury.
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North won the toss and sent the Panthers in at Tallangatta’s Rowan Park to make the most of the cloudy conditions and expected rain over the weekend.
Fortunately, 68 overs were bowled on Saturday with Lavington teetering at 5-97 at one stage.
But an unbeaten 70-run stand between Sam O’Connor and Chris Galvin virtually eliminated any chance of the red-hot favourites falling and even moreso when rain ruined play on Sunday.
Play didn’t start until 4.30pm after around 32 millimetres fell in a 23-hour period.
O’Connor added just two to his overnight score to fall for 83, claiming the Gary Williamson Medal.
The Panthers pushed the score to 6-206 from 85 overs before North captain Ash Borella conceded.
“The North Albury way is to fight to the end, obviously the weather gods have played a part in the game,” he said.
Naturally, Lavington coach Robbie Mackinlay didn’t want any rain, but wasn’t backing away from the club’s number one tag.
“We don’t have any qualms as to how we won it, none at all,” he said.
North had the dream start when Lavington opener Matt Tom fell from the game’s third ball for a duck to English import Ryan Addison.
And the underdogs could sense an upset when Cricketer of the Year runner-up Nathan Brown fell for 10 to a blinding catch from wicketkeeper Dan Kadaoui to leave the Panthers 2-15.
Captain Sam Harris (16) and O’Connor steadied with a 34-run stand, but one of the crucial moments came when Kadaoui missed a stumping opportunity when the patient opener danced down the wicket on 27 in the 30th over.
O’Connor ended with his highest score of the season and third-highest in seven years at the top level.
He faced 208 balls, posting five boundaries and six.
“Initially, my role wasn’t necessarily to be the sheet anchor but, after a few wickets, I did realise that I had to stick around and try and take it as deep as we could,” he said.
At five down for less than 100, the match was in the balance.
Given the threat of rain, North probably needed to knock over the Panthers for around 150 or less, but O’Connor and Galvin’s skill and composure, plus the wet ball and outfield after an initial 45-minute rain delay, ended North’s charge.
Galvin grabbed a second successive half-century with an unbeaten 57, while Addison claimed 2-47 and Greg Daniel 2-68 from 28 straight.