Bathurst District Cricket Association: ORC wins second grade grand final over St Pat's Old Boys White

Many of the Tigers squad members will be taking the step up to the Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket competition in 2021-22 so they came into the weekend's decider determined to send a message to their future cross-city rivals in the process.

And that they did - mostly through the power of their bowlers.

ORC rolled through the Saints order for just 45 runs after Pat's won the toss and elected to bat, before the Tigers survived a scare of their own with the bat to reach 107 all out and claim the first innings.

Justin Stephenson led the way for ORC with his 3-3 from seven overs, while Tait Borgstahl (3-10) and Jacob Ryan (2-14) were also impressive with the ball.

The Saints' opening bowlers were strong in their own right, with Brendan Edwards' huge haul of 7-51 and Bailey Webber's 2-25 forcing ORC to work hard for their runs.

Clint Bryant's 31 with the bat helped ORC claim first innings honours, and helped his side recover from a horror start of 7-41.

Pat's were left with an outright victory as their only path to success but they made sure the Tigers would have to stay focused by scoring an improved 126 in the second innings, led by Adam Webber's half century (51).

That set ORC a target of 65 for victory.

However, the Tigers dropped just one wicket on the road to a special premiership.

It was extra special moment for long-time clubman Trent Fitzpatrick who had missed out on ORC's previous BOIDC premierships due to injury.

He's been thrilled to see the club rebuild over the past few seasons, culminating in Sunday's emphatic success.

"It's a massive moment. Three years ago we dropped out of first grade but we had a lot of good juniors and we made bringing them through a priority," he said.

"We persisted after a tough first year back in second grade, we then made the semis last year and now we've gone to the next step this time. We lost our first game of the season but ever since then it's been smooth sailing.

"I've been with this club for over 30 years, and played juniors here since the late 80s, and I think this might be only the second comp I've won with the club. I think I won an under 12s title in the 90s so it's been a long wait for me.

"For St Pat's I thought Brendan Edwards and Bailey Webber were very good with the ball yesterday. Adam Webber brought Pat's right back in the game, but credit to our bowlers because they kept sticking at it."

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