Especially not in a Twenty20 grand final, it’s as close to an unwinnable position as a side could find itself.

Don’t tell Lithgow that though.

Against all odds and riding a wave of emotion after losing teammate Jeremy Fittler just over a fortnight ago, the Lightning produced the most remarkable of comebacks to down Orange City in Friday night’s Royal Hotel Cup decider and claim a fairytale title.

“We did it for Jez, we did it for everyone who else who has played for us, I can’t even describe how good this feels,” Lithgow skipper Ben Sheehan enthused.

“We felt comfortable chasing anything under 150, although we lost a couple of early wickets and it was a bit nervy, we got through the hard period and came back really well.”

The Lightning have player-of-the-final Todd Costello and Dallas Tilley to thank for that comeback.

After his side posted 9-143 Orange City quick Ed Morrish snared both of Lithgow’s danger men in Sheehan and eventual player-of-the-tournament Ryan Gurney for golden ducks in the first over of the chase, to leave the Lightning reeling at 2-2.

Enter Costello and Tilley.

The two steadied the ship before exploding in the later stages of the Lightning’s innings, adding 134 for the third wicket before the former was dismissed for a 54-ball 79.

Tilley finished 49 not out, from 56 balls, and saw his side to the title, the first a visiting team has claimed since Oberon won in 1998-99. Coincidentally, Orange City lost that final too.

“After everything that was said (leading into the game) about Ryan and I, the other boys got the job done,” Sheehan said.

“Credit to Orange City, they played really well too. We were struggling but we had a couple of old heads that [Orange City] didn’t know too much about, they were awesome.”

“We probably didn’t bowl to our plans, Lithgow executed their plans better. They were just the better team on the night,” Orange City skipper Shaun Grenfell conceded.

“They thoroughly deserved the win and it was a huge effort to back up after what they’ve been through recently, [Costello and Tilley] put on a fantastic partnership, they consolidated and did a fantastic job to get their side home.”

After the game was delayed by over an hour thanks to rain, Grenfell won the toss and batted first despite Lithgow being the competition’s premier chasing side.

Although, Sheehan admitted he was glad to lose the toss.

“It was one I didn’t really mind losing, I didn’t want to make the decision,” Sheehan laughed.

“Orange City did really well, we weren’t unhappy with them batting first but I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, we’d trained as if we’d bat first but I guess it was business as usual after they decided to.”

Orange City marquee Josh Toole (43 from 32) and Ben Findlay (15 from 14) got their side away to a flyer, adding 42 for the first wicket in just five overs, after the former survived an appeal for caught behind from the third ball of the game.

Jock Cartwright (14 from 16) and Nathan Rosser (14 from 12) pushed the score along but their dismissals along with those of Grenfell (0 from 1) and Craig Rogan (6 from 8) left the Warriors struggling at 6-101.

A timely 17-ball 24 from wicketkeeper Matt Findlay helped Orange City to 9-143 though, at least forcing the Lightning into a more than a-run-a-ball chase.

Morrish bowled Sheehan then picked up Gurney leg before, but from there the momentum was entirely with Lithgow.

Tilley was caught behind in the second over, off a no-ball, while Costello also survived a huge shout for caught behind when he was on 25.

Those small pieces of luck were all the pair needed.

Sheehan confirmed his side will be nominating for the tournament again in season 2017-18, thanking the Orange District Cricket Association for the opportunity to be involved again after not taking part last summer.

He said teams can expect a bigger, better Lightning side too. Basically, he said they’ll be hell-bent on defending the title they worked so hard to win.

“We’ll definitely be back,” Sheehan fired.