Having spent nearly three-quarters of his life at Launceston Cricket Club, Ben Humphrey was the perfect candidate to hit the winning run and claim player of the match in the club's first major trophy in a decade.
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"Pure elation," is how the all-rounder described the moment that he scampered a single off the third ball of the 17th over of Sunday's Greater Northern Cup final to ice an eight-wicket win against Westbury.
"I'm 26 and I've been here 18 years. It's been great experiences and a whole lot of good times. Not a whole lot of premierships, but but hopefully that will start now.
"To win a grand final is unbelievable but to have that personal touch is pretty special and something I will cherish for a long time."
The right-arm quick had earlier taken an economical 1-10 off seven overs including the prized scalp of Chathura Athukorala whose 50 represented half of Westbury's score. He then hit 24 not out in an unbeaten third-wicket partnership with his captain Alistair Taylor.
"They were 2-60 at drinks and then everything happened so fast and a couple of hours later we've got medals around our necks.
"It's an amazing feeling and excellent to get our first trophy in 10 years.
"We've won the last two Twenty20 cups so having that experience helped but as soon as we got on a roll you could just sense it was going to be our day.
"There were a few of us who could have got player of the match but it's a nice feeling and an extra bonus.
"As with most teams that win premierships, we had 11 contributors out there."
To win a grand final is unbelievable but to have that personal touch is pretty special and something I will cherish for a long time.
- Ben Humphrey
Humphrey has averaged 45.62 with the bat this season, with a top score of 132, also against Westbury, in round seven. He has also taken 15 wickets at 16.9 with best figures of 3-16 against Sheffield in round eight.
The former Invermay Primary and Launceston Christian School pupil, who is now a PE teacher at Norwood Primary School, echoed Taylor's sentiments that the team's focus must swiftly change to the Cricket North competition.
"We will celebrate this but make sure we are still ready to go in March and get another trophy.
"It's nice to get some silverware. I think we will look back and think it's amazing that we have not lost a game and I don't expect it will happen again soon because there's just so many variables. It's pretty amazing and a great feeling."
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
