Tuggeranong Valley have clinched the John Gallop Cup for the first time since 2017, claiming a convincing 66-run win over Michael Bevan Cup rivals Weston Creek Molonglo at Phillip Oval on Sunday.
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Creek were chasing a record four one day titles in a row, however, a stellar all-round performance from Craig Devoy would see Tuggeranong reclaim the title.
Devoy scored 55 with the bat alongside taking 3-28 with the ball off his 10 overs.
The groundsman by trade wasnot only a Tuggeranong hero but an ACT cricket hero at that, proving instrumental in getting the ACT Meteors fixture off the ground on Saturday.
I am exhausted. It's been a big week and it just hasn't stopped but I think to get a result like this in the end for team [is fantastic]. There's heaps of new guys in the squad and it is just due respect for some of the guys who have been busting their butts off.
- Tuggeranong's Craig Devoy
"I am exhausted. It's been a big week and it just hasn't stopped but I think to get a result like this in the end for team [is fantastic]," Devoy said.
"There's heaps of new guys in the squad and it is just due respect for some of the guys who have been busting their butts off.
"[It] was a strenuous day yesterday with work, to get a WNCL game at Chisholm and unfortunately the ground wasn't up to standard and in a last-ditch effort, we managed to move the game here [Phillip Oval],
"We managed to help the ground staff here, obviously [a lot on] with Cricket ACT having the BBL, we helped them out and we managed to get a game on.
"Thankfully, the Meteors got a win which is really good and it is good to come out here and have a win."
Tuggeranong set Creek a target of 220 to chase after Devoy's half-century was added to with a brilliant 70 from keeper Josh Staines.
Devoy and elder brother Shane both then claimed three wickets apiece with the ball, matched by a stellar effort in the field by Tuggeranong.
Zac Maron and Michael Barrington-Smith combined for one of the greatest boundary catches you could hope to see to dismiss Sam Myburgh on 42.
Maron threw the ball back in play after taking the catch over the boundary, with Barrington-Smith sprinting like Usain Bolt to ensure the catch was taken.
"I have been scoring single digits for the last six or seven weeks, the way I bat it is sometimes hit or miss and today was one of those days it just came off," Craig Devoy said.
"With bowling aspects, you put enough good balls in good areas and sometimes they just come for it and today was one of them.
"Spectacular efforts in the field from some of our players, sometimes they get you the wickets rather than you getting them yourself."
The title was made even sweeter for Craig Devoy, having missed the club's 2017 Cup win with a shoulder injury.
"I just had a shoulder reconstruction, so I missed out on that. This is our second first grade final together [Shane and I]. It is just great, we are a massive family club," he said.
"We had the Floros' a couple of years ago and we have Akshay and Nikesh [Joseph] in the same team.
"We are very family-orientated and it is just an awesome environment to be a part of."
AT A GLANCE
TUGGERANONG VALLEY 219 (Josh Staines 70, Craig Devoy 55; Monty Poonia 3-41) bt WESTON CREEK MOLONGLO 153 (Sam Myburgh 42; Shane Devoy 3-20, Craig Devoy 3-28) by 66 runs in Sunday's John Gallop Cup final at Phillip Oval.
