Longford continued to prove it's the creme de la creme when it comes to the TCL T20 Boom competition, once again winning the final against Trevallyn.
The Tigers went through the regular season untouched as they claimed their third final win in a row on Sunday.
The match got off to a stiff start for Longford, with number two batter Karli Humphries limited to just nine runs in 26 balls and 86 minutes.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT:
Opening partner and player-coach Stacey Norton-Smith, however, had the lion's share of the total, whacking 32 runs.
Middle order batters Kristy Clayton (24 runs) and captain Emma Humphries (12) ensured their side had a secure total of 115 runs after 20. Trevallyn's bowling spread the load, with five of nine bowlers claiming a wicket.
However, things started to turn on the five-time Boom victors in Trevallyn's innings. The latter's captain Maxine Woods got her side off to a hot start, belting 24 runs.
Her opening partnership with number two Kellie Scott (16) had the Longford home crowd breaking a sweat.
Heather Styles joined the fray in the middle order, bolstering her side with a 14-run innings.
As things began to tilt in the visitor's way, Norton-Smith turned up the ferocity. The all-rounder ran out both Belinda and Reeanna Blackberry in quick succession.
In the grand final you can't let yourself down so stay up and about
- Stacey Norton-Smith
Styles was also run-out not long after, leaving Trevallyn floundering for the final 17 runs needed for victory. A thrilled Norton-Smith said her side never stopped believing in itself during the match.
"It was pretty surreal actually - we got off to a really poor start at the beginning of the field," she said.
"I actually can't explain the feeling. We've got a pretty resilient team to be honest, once we got that one chance it just really opened the game up.
"Taking one or two wickets really opens things up so I think we just stayed positive - in the grand final you can't let yourself down so stay up and about."
The player of the match said finishing the season without a loss made this year's victory all-the-more special.
"That's pretty much the reason we got to this point - we had that tie game with Bracknell which got us on top of the board," Norton-Smith said.
"That [undefeated season] just goes to show that we could get it done again out here today - pretty much an all-round fantastic year for us."
Humble in their second final loss in a row, Woods said during the presentation ceremony that she was proud Trevallyn had another red-hot crack and intended to see them back in contention next year.
"They play a good game every game," Norton-Smith said.
Harry Murtough
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
Born and raised in Launceston. BA of journalism from Monash University. Sports reporter covering basketball, netball and cricket.
