The drought is over, Mittagong Cricket Club have claimed their first premiership in over half a decade.
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The club had struggled to retain players over the years, usually having a strong 2nd and 3rd grade team.
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They dabbled in 1st grade the last two seasons but losing half their team they couldn't field a 1st grade side.
They played 2nd grade again and had a ball. They locked up the minor premiership in the 4th last round and then went on to lose 4 games on the trot, to Wingello, Bundy and Robbo, then losing the major semi final to Wingello.
All the clubs put forward an amazing spirit and a credit to Highlands Cricket, everybody had their highs and lows but Mittagong saved their high for the very end.
Another typical day in Highlands final cricket saw a rainy night and morning, so 1st and 2nd grade were made to change grounds and tactics.
Mittagong under the steer of Marco Basaglia were always going to bowl first, no matter the outcome of the toss. Marco somehow won the flip, and they proved why they are the best bowling team in the competition.
Having Wingello all out for 63 off 22.2 overs. Mittagong put on a clinic while they didn't miss a single opportunity to take a wicket.
Under the grey skies of Eridge Park, rugby was being played on the main fields and Mittagong bowled and fielded like hungry demons.
A special note should be mentioned to Lachlan Holmes, Nathan Triffitt, Marco Basaglia, Stephen Allport and Hunter Schrader-Wright who terrorised the opposition batsmen all year.
Mittagong had many other players contribute to their milestone also.
Lachlan bagged 4/23 off 8, an almost perfect spell for an unadorned bowler, Triffitt the leading wicket taker for the competition managed a modest 1/8 off 5, meanwhile captain GOAT piped in with 3/8 off 3.2 overs.
An inspired direct hit run out by Hunter and impeccable catching by Mitchell Smith, Harrison Miller, Hunter Schrader-Wright, Philip Dingle and Jacob Debono ensured that Wingello were kept under wraps.
Wingello are very dangerous and missed opportunities hampered Mittagong in the semi final.
Chasing low totals with a wet outfield is very hard and Wingello made sure that Mittagong had to earn the trophy.
Joshua Miller and Jacob Debono got Mittagong off to a quick start but after a few quick wickets 0/21 soon turned into 4/37, a special mention to Philip Aitken who is absolutely unable to avoid being given out LBW, as his team affectionately calls him "LBW", but he dug in as all the boys did.
With five wickets in hand and Wingello being full of courage, Lachlan Holmes managed to take advantage when the sun came out and the ball was swinging across him to hit two fours then a six in three balls to seal the victory.
President Scott Miller said, "it was a team effort all year round and by many years prior to achieve the result."
Mittagong were given their trophies by a noble Matt Rolles.
The Mittagong players looked up at the freshly shining sun and knew that their mate PJ was looking down at them from somewhere.
As the sun was shining, every person on the field knew great cricket had been played. And at the end of the day, cricket was the winner.
