CYMS skipper Hamish Finlayson has lauded the incredible efforts of both fast bowler Curtis Free and all-rounder Hugh Le Lievre as the catalyst for the club’s first top grade Orange District Cricket Association title in 31 years.

A revelation since touching down from Doncaster, England, Free was in fine form early on Saturday and claimed the crucial wickets of Stu Middleton (11) and first drop Matt Corben (24) before going on to take a grand final haul of 5-43 as CYMS bowled out the defending premiers for 130 at Wade Park.

Le Lievre also contributed with the ball, nabbing 3-15 from eight overs while Al Dhatt chimed in with 2-11 as the green and golds pegged back what was looking like a strong first innings total when Cavaliers were 3-91.

CYMS batted late on day one, and slumped to a degree with Matt Baker (five) and Jake Sands (eight) falling to TJ Cunynghame (4-61) early.

From 2-8, things went from bad to worse when the ODCA’s leading run scorer Dave Neil retired hurt with an injured calf muscle, and when Chris Novak - the night watchman sent out to relieve the CYMS middle-order of a tricky period late on Saturday - became Cunynghame’s third wicket of the innings, Cavaliers had a sniff at 3-57 with one player retired.

The green and golds managed to get to 3-63 at stumps on day one, with a further 67 required for first innings points.

Evenly poised, Finlayson (seven) fell early on Sunday and Nick Wright (eight) and Sam Dwyer (duck) never really bothered the scorers as CYMS fell to 6-95, forcing Neil to return to the crease.

Neil batted well with Le Lievre for a period, helping CYMS to 111 before he too fell, this time to a neat catch from wicketkeeper Matt Corben - one of five for the innings - off the bowling of Brad Wright (1-43).

Cavaliers, particularly players of the ilk of Middleton, have played enough cricket to know 7-111 in a grand final chasing 130 is far from a comfortable scenario to be in.

On Sunday, Finlayson found that out too.

But Le Lievre was the rock for the green and golds, with Pat Madden (nine) sticking with the all-rounder as CYMS passed Cavaliers’ total, and then Free and Dhatt provided enough resistance to allow Le Lievre to reach triple figures.

Finlayson admits he was far from comfortable watching his side inch closer to a first innings win.

“Certainly not, I was a bit worried a fair few times but having Hugh there throughout the whole innings was just that comfort I guess,” he said, Le Lievre scoring 119 before being the final wicket to fall.

“But it was certainly up and down. It could have gone either way.

“We were just a bit too good. Hughey was outstanding. An incredible grand final.

“It’s the pinnacle of Orange cricket, and to win all three competitions is just outstanding. I’m so proud of every one of the boys. It’s an incredible feeling.”