The Tigers skipper, who played his first game of cricket when he was eight, admitted he was a little nervous when his side managed just 129 runs on day one of their clash with Centennials Bulls.

But Gibson led by example on Sunday – claiming 4-6 – as his side prevailed by 10 runs at Morse Park 2.

“It’s good to have runs on the board first, then the pressure builds up on the other side. I’ve seen teams with smaller totals than what we got win,” Gibson said.

“It’s a funny game the old cricket, it’s never over until you get that last wicket.”

The Bulls outfit which finished the regular rounds as minor premiers then beat ORC in the major semi-final, put themselves in a solid position on day one.

Gibson said rival spinner Phil Chie was amongst those who impressed with the ball as the Tigers were all out for 129.

The Bulls faced one over before stumps then resumed their chase on Sunday. At that stage Gibson was unsure which side would emerge triumphant.

“I thought we were a touch under, that we were a little bit short, but I still thought we were a chance, especially on a turf wicket,” he said.

“You just need to bowl tight and straight and if you do that, they’re going to make mistakes and that’s what we capitalised on. They say catches win matches and we took some vital ones and that changed the whole course the the game.”

One of those vital catches was taken by Prakash Parkar off his own bowling.

Bulls danger man Craig Windus – who averaged 166.5 heading into the decider – was just settling in at the crease when he drove the ball back straight at Parkar. He took the reflex catch.

It was just one of the highlights for Gibson as his side showed a massive improvement from last season.

“Especially after we were second last last year. This year we were second coming into the finals and then to win the premiership – it was just a terrific year all round for the boys,” he said.