North Albury scored one of its greatest grand final wins by taking down association Goliath, Lavington, on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In the history-making three-match grand final series, North came back after being humbled for just 87 in the opening game to post a convincing five-wicket win at Wodonga's Les Cheesley Oval on Saturday.
The win snapped a 10-year premiership drought with one of two players left from that match, North's Brendan Simmons, claiming the Gary Williamson Medal with a superb 66.
"That would definitely be one of the best wins I suppose because 'Lavi' was such hot favourites and it's been a long time for North," he said.
"It's great for the players and great for the club."
The grand final series has created some controversy, with a number of the sport's stalwarts privately suggesting it's not the 'Australian' way of just a one-off decider.
"The three-game series gives you a chance if you do stuff one up, we know what we did last Saturday was not good enough, so from there we had to play our best cricket and that's what grand finals are, playing your best," captain Ash Borella said.
Lavington had been almost unbeatable during the season, largely on the back of one of the best pace attacks, which included former New Zealand international Daryl Tuffey, in the association's 161-year history.
In fact, the Panthers had lost just one of its past 33 matches heading into game two of the grand final.
But in the final two games, North dominated, skittling Lavington for only 123, its lowest score of the season, and then getting home with 3.4 overs to spare when Tom Hemsley hit a superb cover drive for four off Tuffey.
The three-game series gives you a chance if you do stuff one up.
- Ash Borella
North spinner Ash Hulme bamboozled the Panthers, taking the first four wickets to finish with 4-17.
Officials will now decide whether to continue the three-game series and finish before football season.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here