RAND captain Mark Kreutzberger has described the club's seventh successive premiership as "pretty special" after defeating Walbundrie by 43 runs at Walbundrie on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kreutzberger said winning CAW Hume's inaugural flag and bouncing back from a shock semi-final loss to Walla added extra merit to the triumph.
Mark and Chris Kreutzberger, Clint and Brayden Ralston and Will Swift have played in all seven premierships.
"It was a fantastic effort by the boys," the skipper said.
"It was a pretty tough finals series and we rode it out well.
"I just think there is belief and trust in each other and when someone needs to stand up it generally happens.
"Clint (Ralston) did it this time."
After winning the toss and batting, Rand recovered from the early loss of Mark Kreutzberger (one) and Will Swift (one) to make 5-205.
Clint Ralston topscored with 88 not out while Chris Kreutzberger made 59 and Bryce Swift chipped in with a vital 33.
It was a superb performance by Ralston considering his previous highest score was 28 against Henty.
"He defended really well early and was patient and then he hit well, particularly straight," he said.
Although Walbundrie has consistently scored 200 runs this season, the Tigers were unable to chase down the total against some disciplined bowling.
Mitch Thomas struck a crucial blow when he clean bowled dangerman Nick Morris for 30.
Thomas (3-31) and Brayden Lieschke (3-32) were the pick of the bowlers.
"We are probably a bit stronger in our bowling than batting so we thought 180 would be defendable," Kreutzberger said.
"I thought 205 was a pretty good score.
"We felt we were in the game even though they have some hard-hitting batsmen in their side.
"Our bowlers did a great job."
Rand finished the home and away series in second spot with a 12-3 win-loss record but its golden run looked set to end after being beaten by Walla in the semi-finals.
It then bounced back with a preliminary final win over Holbrook without key duo Kreutzberger and Daniel Lieschke to regain its self-belief.
"It's been a really good competition and, with more teams, it's harder to win," he said.
"Teams seem to have had more depth this year."
In second grade, Holbrook defeated Osborne by 87 runs thanks to a half-century from Dylan Fairall.
