A new record has been set for Hill Top Cricket Club with their first grade captain channeling some Bradman magic.
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Alex Debs is the first person in the history of the Hill Top Cricket Club to score a double century and he did it on the hallowed turf of Bradman Oval.
Starting the game at six years old, he's had encouraging coaches and positive sporting role models to help along the way, but it hasn't always been easy for Debs.
"I've been struggling all year, so have most of our batsmen," Debs said.
"We've been getting some inconsistent wickets. Teams have generally been bowling dominant. I've actually been dropped a few times but it's amazing what you can do with a bit of confidence."
That confidence took Deb's game to another stratosphere and delivered him the game of a lifetime.
"When I started hitting a few out of the middle, you just start backing yourself and the rest takes care of itself," Debs said.
"I didn't consider making 200 at all. When I was at the 150, 160 run mark, I just thought I was in a really good zone. I just kept the confidence up and trusted myself from there I didn't think they would be able to get me out."
"When I hit the runs to get to 200, I was on 198 and I wasn't really sure of my run tally so I was just jogging a single and then I heard the boys shouting "go, go, go" so then I knew I must be pretty close and luckily snuck through for a second and all the boys were really happy for me.
"It was a big achievement for me."
Being the first person in the history of the club to accomplish this, Debs felt great doing it at the club he loves.
"It feels great doing it for Hill Top. We're a tight knit group and a very proud club," Debs said.
"But just to do it for the team was the most pleasing thing. I'm not really too concerned about the personal accolades but the fact that it put our team in a strong position to win was the best feeling about it.
"The boys getting behind me and being really happy for me was such a great feeling as well. It meant as much to them as it did for me."
With Hill Top returning to first grade for the first time in three years, Debs has noticed it has changed the culture at the club.
"Since Christmas we've had a big positive attitude shift," Debs said.
"I think we struggled to keep pace with the competition, but since the holidays I can't fault our attitude.
"Everyone has been really happy and positive, often cricket comes second. We spend a lot of time together with training, relaxing, socialising and we always make a point of after games having a social event.
"Ever since building that team culture it's contributed a lot towards our success. What you do off the field is just as important as it is on the field."
With Hill Top facing Wingello at Bradman oval this weekend in the finals, Debs is looking forward to knocking off the defending champions.
"We're feeling quietly confident," Debs said.
"Wingello is always a tough team to beat and we have a massive amount of respect for them. As a team we're feeling confident and upbeat.
"At the start of the competition no one really gave us a chance because we're the new club, so the fact that we've made it to finals, anything from here is a bonus."
