Grenfell has entered the history books winning the inaugural Doug Wright Shield Twenty20 competition on Saturday.
In a fitting final, the Grenfell A side held their nerve to deliver a three run win over Canowindra and claim the second piece of silverware within 12 months after securing their first premiership last season.
“It’s great to get the first one, especially after the grand final last year as well,” Grenfell captain Phil Simpson said.
“It was pretty intense.”
Grenfell won the toss and Simpson had no hesitation setting a target.
While Grenfell struggled early to dominate under the disciplined Canowindra attack, Henry Hunt (63no) and Terry Knight (24) put on a 54 run second wicket stand leading to a commendable total of 4-109 at the conclusion of their 20 overs.
“I don’t think we quite made enough runs with the bat,” Simpson said.
“We were confident we could defend it but a few more runs would have been nice.”
“Henry took a while to get his eye in, but once he did, he hit some good boundaries and brought it home towards the end.”
In contrast to the Grenfell innings, the Canowindra run chase started well initially scoring freely, albeit with a few edges that raced to the boundary, but the Grenfell bowlers were able to turn the screws through the middle overs with wickets.
With the game in the balance, it was a piece of brilliant fielding by Grenfell opening bowler Ben Mitton that swung the game their way.
The one-handed screamer at deep mid on to dismiss the dangerous Nick Guthrie sent the passionate and vocal Grenfell supporters into raptures.
“It was amazing,” Simpson said.
“It didn’t look like he was going to get there the whole way, but he made excellent ground and threw the hand out and it stuck in there.
“If that had of gone for four and we still had the Guthrie boys [Nick and Pete] in the final overs it may have been a different story today. It definitely turned the game in our favour.”
Still, Canowindra worked their way to a position to win, requiring 10 runs off the last over.
Simpson threw the ball to former captain and 2010-11 player of the year, Alec McSpadden who closed out the game, removing Pete Guthrie with a run out off the second last ball.
Canowindra finished just short at 6-106.
Simpson was full of praise for the young players who contributed to the win.
“We mixed up the teams a little bit [between Grenfell A and B] and gave some of the younger guys a go,” he said.
“They fielded really well today keeping it tight towards the end and put the pressure back on the Canowindra batters.
“I don’t think we had a star with the ball, but everyone worked really well together as a group and the fielding backed it up as well.”
Although the score books will show Grenfell A as the victors, Canowindra captain Nick Guthrie was proud of his players’ efforts.
“We didn’t perform badly today,” he said.
“It was a great game, a nice close one. Our bowlers were really impressive early. It was a good bowling and fielding effort to restrict them to 109 with their batting lineup. They never really got away from us at any stage.
“Wickets probably put a little bit of pressure on the boys in the lower order.”
For Canowindra, none was better than Pete Guthrie (41) who fell one ball short in carrying his bat through the innings and also picked up 2-11.
Henry Hunt’s knock together with his contribution with the ball (2-9) was a man of the match performance.
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