A side renowned for its colossal hitting and huge totals, Gladstone posted 39 runs in the opening 20 overs, batting first against minor premiers Orange City at Jack Brabham (1) on Saturday, losing the key wickets of Kyran Bubb (3), Luke Wilson (19) and Ray Milner (0) along the way.

As the City bowlers continued to tighten the screws, Gladstone eventually made it to 8-123 from their 40 overs, with each of City’s seven bowlers taking one wicket, Mark Toynton’s 1-11 off eight overs the pick of the figures.

The modest total set up a thrilling chase, but in the end it was the Gladdy bowlers who came out on top.

Much like the Warriors did to them, Gladstone restricted City’s top order to 37 runs at drinks.

City rallied, however, and through Adam Cowden (21) and Matt Hogan (11) built somewhat of a challenge on the second grade title, but it wasn’t enough as Cal Townsend (2-22) and man-of-the-match Brad Cotter (2-20) routed Jaime Stedman’s team for 112, 11 runs short of a result.

A lower-grade powerhouse, Saturday’s victory was Gladstone’s first second grade premiership win, and stalwart Mark Merchant said despite his side’s slow-going with the bat early on he was confident of netting the premiership.

“I think we’d normally be closer to 99 at that point,” Merchant said, referring to his side’s 3-39 standing at drinks.

“The pitch played well, but the outfield was quite slow. Initially we thought 120-odd mightn’t be enough, but when we took into account the nature of the outfield we knew we’d be in the game.

“Bowling was the main thing. Everybody bowled well and City kept it really tight. Toyno bowled something like eight overs for 11 runs or something ridiculous like that.

“Brad Cotter got 17 really handy runs for us at the end there.”

After a grand final loss, naturally, Stedman said his side was “extremely disappointed”.

“But had they lost, so to would they,” the Warriors skipper said.

“The game was both won and lost with the bat ... they were significantly more patient than us as a unit. 

“A few decisions either way and it could have been different but that’s the game, isn’t it. I’d like to mention the effort of Ben McAlpine, he was clearly damaged - from footy I imagine - but toughed it out to help his team; a true team-man.”

He added the performance of Toynton to play through injury was also monumental.

“On one leg and playing against the wishes of the physio,” Stedman said.

“I’ve never played in a GF where so many blokes were limping after the game finished.

“The game showed that low scoring matches can be even more exciting than the big scoring affairs.

“Congrats to Gladdy on their win.”