"IT'S an incredible feeling."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With those words Orange CYMS captain Hamish Finlayson celebrated his club's first Orange District Cricket Association first grade two-day premiership in 31 years.
The skipper spoke to the Central Western Daily's Nick McGrath on Wade Park moments after his side, fuelled by five wickets from English import Curtis Free and a century from all-rounder Hugh Le Lievre, defeated Cavaliers by two wickets on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who became the youngest player to skipper the green and golds as a teenager in 2011, was over the moon after securing his side's third major premiership of the 2014-15 season.
"This is the pinnacle of Orange cricket and to win all three competitions is outstanding," he said, with Sunday's shield joining the ODCA's Limited Overs and Royal Hotel Cups in the club's trophy cabinet.
"I'm so proud of every one of the boys."
VIDEO: First grade interviews from Wade Park:
Finlayson's counterpart Stu Middleton remained upbeat on Sunday afternoon despite the disappointment of the second-placed finish.
"Hats off to Hughie. A grand final century - you can't do any better than that," he said.
"We thought bowling-wise we could put the pressure on them, but 130 was never going to be enough runs."
Middleton confirmed his retirement from first grade cricket in the post-match presentation ceremony, drawing to a close a career that has netted the all-rounder in excess of 8,000 first grade runs and almost 400 wickets.
Le Lievre, who took three wickets and a catch in a man-of-the-match performance, was obviously delighted after the game's conclusion.
"It's a really amazing feeling," he said.
"They really made us earn it, so contribute on the big day is a good feeling."
VIDEO: Second grade interviews from Riawena Oval:
At Riawena Oval an amazing second day's play saw the Michael Fletcher-led CYMS side join their first grade clubmates in the winner's circle.
Pursuing a modest 159, runaway minor premiers Orange City powered to 0-49 at the conclusion of the first day's play and appeared unbackable favourites to secure the premiership.
But off-spinner Eddie Wright's five-wicket haul, complemented by four to quick Sam Cooper, saw the Warriors fall an agonizing nine runs shy.
Speaking with the Central Western Daily's Matt Findlay after the game, CYMS vice-captain Josh Dunn was as amazed by the result as anyone.
"I thought we were done overnight," he said.
"Knowing their line-up with Churchy (Shaun Churchill), Steddo (Jamie Stedman) and Warro (John Warrington) I thought we were all over.
"But you never know with grand finals."
Skipper Stedman offered a simple and sombre analysis.
"That was our game to lose and that's exactly what we managed to do."