Cricket North grand final: Launceston wins 2020-21 flag

With the second and third-grade flags already under their belts, the Lions completed a dream season about 3.30pm Sunday when Riverside - previously the last club to win all three flags in one year - was forced to concede the final.

By that stage the game was well and truly decided, but 90 minutes earlier, the winner was anyone's guess.

Chasing 284, the Blues entered day three 5-186 and made great progress in the first session to reach lunch at 7-245.

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With 40 to win and three wickets in hand, Rowan Smith (3-42) removed Lyndon Stubbs on the first ball after lunch to swing the pendulum back in Launceston's favour.

The resolute Ramesh Sundra (69) eventually ran out of partners and was forced into the first rash shot of a remarkable 217-ball knock that, on another day, could have led to a famous win.

His dismissal left Launceston 22 runs clear on first innings and essentially marked the end of the game.

The Lions were sent back in but the pressure had gone out of the contest, allowing Dilan Sandagirigoda (58 off 31) to put on a fireworks show before their second innings was called off at 1-106.