A GRAND final with a grand conclusion.
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Orange City claimed a thrilling two wicket triumph over St Pat's Old Boys in the weekend's Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket association decider at the Sportsground on the back of a patient pursuit under serious pressure.
The visitors successfully chased down the Saints' total of 193 on the back of an inspirational performance from player of the match and number eight batsman Troy O'Keeffe (28 not out from 119 balls).
Minor premiers St Pat's looked to have turned the match into their favour as a quick run of wickets saw City fall from 4-157 to 8-165 but O'Keeffe, supported by a defensively dialled-in Harry McGregor (1 not out from 48), put the trophy in the defending champions' hands.
It's the fourth successive top grade premiership for Orange City when including their 2017-18 and 2018-19 titles in the Orange District Cricket Association.
"That was a gutsy win. Games like that are not so much about how good you are but how much heart you've got, and my boys showed a lot of that, but so too did Pat's," City captain Ed Morrish said.
Morrish's wicket sparked the quick collapse in City's middle order and he was left watching on nervously as his lower order managed to produce something special.
"If you watched me over there when that was happening you would have seen that I needed a new pair of shoes because I was doing a lot of pacing," he laughed.
"But that was incredible. We've had a lot of ins and outs with this team due to injuries or unavailabilities so for the blokes to come in and do the job is the most pleasing thing as a captain.
- READ MORE: Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket: St Pat's Old Boys prepare for grand final clash against Orange City
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- READ ALSO: Four St Pat's Old Boys teams into three grand finals this weekend
"People doubted us because last year we were given the title due to COVID, so we wanted to go out and prove that we were that team."
For Saints captain Adam Ryan it was at least a game worthy of the 'grand final' billing.
"It was a ripper game. They're the grand finals you dream about being a part of. You dream about being on the other side of it but I'm so proud of the efforts from everyone - today and throughout the season," he said.
"They've all been faultless in their commitment to the club and the cause this year."
Saints were in serious danger in their innings on Saturday before Cooper Brien (29), Hamish Siegert (46) and Josh Wilcox (45) added more than 100 runs over the space of two partnerships.
Derryn Clayton (24) also added valuable late runs for the Saints.
McGregor led the way with the ball for City with his 3-42.
In response, Ben Schofield (31) and top scorer Blake Weymouth (48) pushed the visitors past the 100 mark at the loss of just two wickets.
Shaun Grenfell (27) continued to inject some spark into the City chase before he formed part of Orange's four-wicket collapse.
O'Keeffe and McGregor each survived a scare when they were nearly caught, and their nervous chase was prolonged further by a drinks break with 10 runs to get.
But there was no need to fear as the pair etched their names into the City history books with a partnership to remember.
Three Pat's bowlers finished with two wickets, with the best of them being Angus Parsons (2-21).
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