SAINT Stanislaus' College travelled to Strathfield on Saturday expecting a rigorous battle for glory in their ISA Cricket division one grand final meeting with minor premiers and defending champions Saint Patrick's College.
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What they got instead was a resounding victory with a 150-run margin no-one could have seen coming, plus they scored revenge over the school who bested them in last season's decider.
And the player who led the way was none other than captain Ben Mitchell with his 142 runs from 82 deliveries.
Through strong supporting efforts from Sam Hall (59) and Bailey Brien (32) Stannies posted an impressive 8-267 on a slow Breen Oval outfield.
"It's very surreal and still so unbelievable. We expected a much closer contest," winning coach Tony Fisher said.
"We were 1-41 after first drinks. We hoped we could get to 100 before second drinks but we got to 120. Then we thought maybe 220 would be a good score and anything after that would be a bonus.
"Bailey and Sam put on a nice 81-run stand for the second wicket and that momentum continued with Sam and Ben.
"Ben took a little while to get going but once he got going he really got going."
Stannies produced bowling and fielding of a quality that matched their efforts with the willow.
Ethan Muller and Mitchell (both 1-13 from four overs) removed the St Patrick's openers before they could get any momentum.
Aiden Macauley (3-14 from seven) and Luke Mutton (3-20 from eight) then swooped in to take apart the Pat's middle order and remove any hope of the hosts mounting a comeback.
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In an appropriate way to close out the match, Stannies' sole third-year representative Lachlan Yates took the winning catch off Marty Rudgley's bowling.
Tom Lynch (1-6 from two overs) claimed the other Pat's wicket.
The home side were all out for 117 in the 37th over.
"Our fielding was a 150 per cent improvement on last week. There were several times where Pat's should have got boundaries but our boys were putting their bodies on the line," Fisher said.
"The catches we needed to catch, we took. Aiden Macauley and Luke Mutton were very tight and got three wickets each.
"In the end we forced Pat's to take riskier shots than they would have liked and it showed in the end."
Mitchell's school season has been nothing short of outrageous.
His last three innings for the season were 123, 95 not out and 142.
Those scores brought his 2018-19 average to 82 and his season total up to 738 runs.
"He's been fantastic as captain and has inspired the boys," Fisher said.
"He spoke to them in the change rooms before they went out and said some pretty good words to the lads."
The win was a special one for Fisher and assistant Garth Dean, who have been chasing an elusive ISA crown for years.
"Garth's contribution can't be understated. His ability to say the right thing at the right time is appreciated and his technical advice is fantastic," Fisher said.
"It's been a very emotional season. It's a win that's for all the old boys out there."