WANTIRNA South players were a sad bunch after crashing out of the RDCA Saxon Sports Twenty20 competition last season. Last week they made amends with a six-wicket Twenty20 grand final win over South Croydon.
The Devils controlled most of their matches throughout the competition and the grand final proved no different as the Devils set up their win with a dominant bowling performance led by former Ringwood paceman Drew McKay (4-8 from four overs) as the Bulldogs were restricted to 9-110 from their 20 overs with Philip Cross (38) the best for the Bulldogs.
In response, Devils captain Matthew King (63) opened the batting and led his side to 100 before being dismissed. John Aumann (8 not out) and Cameron Smith (4no) took their side to victory on 4-112 from 13.5 overs.
King said the Devils were proud to take the premiership. "Last year when we lost the semi-final we were all pretty disappointed and down in the dumps. This year we had a scare in the first game and then we hit our straps.
"It means a lot to us to win it. Our main goal for the year is always to win the two-day premiership but to win a competition like this gives us good momentum and belief that we can win matches in the finals."
The Devils had the services of Ringwood star David King, younger brother of Matthew King, although the Devils captain said the side used contributions from a number of players including McKay and batsman Andrew Jorgensen. —Roy Ward