Club leagues
All the tables as the ECB Premier League seasons near the end
GOOD things come to those who wait and for Simon Birtwistle it was fourth time lucky as he helped steer South Northumberland to the Club T20 title at the County Ground in Derby.
The north-east side defeated twotime Club T20 champions Wimbledon to hoist the trophy for the first time in nine years.
The white-ball success comes after the Bulls cruised to the North East Premier League title with an impressive 444 points.
Birtwistle, who had previously lost the T20 final three times with Chesterle-Street, put in a man-of-the-match performance as he took 3-23 before plundering 47 to help the Bulls over the line.
And the captain admits the win tastes all the sweeter having gone so close on three occasions with his former club.
“I got to these finals three times with Chester-le-Street without winning, so it’s very sweet to win it,” he said.
“I think north-east cricket is very strong. We’ve got some really good sides who generally do well in these competitions.”
Wimbledon had won the toss, but struggled to 117 all out, with Jonny Wightman claiming 3-18 and former Australia international Marcus North taking 2-20 with his off-spin.
Birtwistle steadied the ship along with wicket-keeper Rob Peyton after North had fallen for just 16, but it was left to captain Adam Cragg to smash the winning runs as he clubbed the second ball of the last over for six.
South Northumberland had beaten the Cannock and Rugeley Hawks in the day’s first semi-final, with John Graham’s unbeaten 56 proving decisive.
“John played brilliantly in our semifinal win. Character wins these games,” Birtwistle added.
Wimbledon had produced a convincing eight-wicket victory over Clifton in the second semi, restricting the Salford club to 94-7 after Angus Boobbyer claimed the key wicket of the former Lancashire wicket-keeperbatsman Gareth Cross.
Zimbabwean teenager Nick Welch made short work of the modest chase with a rapid 60.
And following the defeat, Cross admitted his side had not batted well enough.
“We didn’t get enough runs and struggled against their spinners,” the former Lancashire keeper said.
“But we’ve done well to get here, because we’re a much smaller club than a couple of these, and it’s been a great day for the club.”
Aaron Campbell, the ECB’s Competitions Manager, added: “Congratulations to South Northumberland and the other three teams for reaching Finals Day and providing another excellent day of cricket. I’m sure all four teams would share our appreciation of the Derbyshire club and especially their ground staff for allowing us to beat the weather.”