LAST week's SATIS grand final victory by St Patrick's College marked the retirement of a vital piece of the team's make-up.
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Former state wicketkeeper and Mowbray Cricket Club stalwart Richard Soule called time on his assistant coaching role with the team following the 21-run win over Scotch Oakburn.
Soule is leaving the role as his son Matthew will be graduating from the school this year.
"He was an all-round coach and we worked very closely in tandem together," coach Luke McCormack said of his assistant.
"He obviously had a special link with our wicketkeeper Jared Lewis, the third year 12 player in our team, and has worked closely with all the wicketkeepers over time.
"He has helped a lot of keepers go from being not 100 per cent with their skills to being top- class little keepers.
"Souley is just a magnificent man, and a very loyal person and we were blessed to have him coaching with us."
McCormack was full of praise for the performances of his captain and vice-captain Daniel Murfet (73) and Nathan Parkin (45) who helped guide his team to 180, a score that it was able to defend through good bowling and fielding.
"It was always going to be a tight contest, and we backed ourselves to be able to defend the total, as we do work hard on our fielding, and that turned out to be the story of the game," McCormack said.
"Our captain and vice-captain Daniel and Nathan who put in that key partnership, have basically known each other since birth, played cricket with each other right the way through and are best mates.
"To see them seize the moment and put that partnership together was great. They were also able to bowl well in tandem and take a couple of wickets before the new ball was due."
The SATIS competition has been a stepping stone for several first-class cricketers, including Test players James Faulkner, George Bailey and Alex Doolan.