RSL reclaim the NDCA second grade T20 cup following a brilliant grand final fightback

Narrabri District Cricket Association’s 2023/24 campaign second grade T20 grand final was contested at Hogan Oval on Saturday afternoon and it was RSL who got the job done with a five-wicket victory against Tatts.

Tatts batted first after their skipper Jesse Packer won the toss and they lasted the 20 overs as they finished on 9-82, which RSL were able to chase in 17 overs with five wickets in hand.

The win saw RSL earn their fourth NDCA second grade T20 title in five seasons and also reclaim the cup after Tatts won it last year.

Tatts were in the box seat and had the result in the palm of their hands just three overs into the contest after opening batsmen Ryan Steel and Chris Hartnett came out firing and blasted 54 runs from 18 deliveries. They both smashed multiple fours and sixes to keep the crowd entertained and the run rate ticking over.

With the defending champions on a roll, RSL’s skipper Justin Saunders took the pace bowlers off early and turned to club legend Mick Dowdell, who delivered as he turned the game on its head with three huge wickets. He struck quickly as he bowled Steel (24) in the fourth over, and he took two more wickets in the sixth over as he knocked over Hartnett (41) caught and bowled and then trapped Rod Kirk in front for a duck.

That made the score 3-66 after the sixth over and Tatts were never able to recapture any momentum as they made 6-16 in the next 14 overs.

Dowdell eventually finished with a game-best 3-12 from four overs, Gabe O’Connor took 2-2 from three overs, Darcy Anderson took 2-20 from four overs and Luke Baker took 2-41 from four overs.

Saunders bowled brilliantly without taking a wicket as he produced 22 dot balls and finished with 0-3 from four overs to help slow down the Tatts run rate.

Max Hunter opened the batting for RSL in the second innings and scored a team-best 31 runs to get his side on the front foot before he was caught in the 16th over, and Gabe O’Connor (14), Craig O’Connor (10*) and Dowdell (7*) all also played key roles as their side reached 5-83 at the end of the 17th over.

Tatts’ wicket-takers were Josh Rose (2-15 from two overs), Kirk (2-18 from four overs) and Hartnett (1-13 from four overs).

In what he said would most likely be his last season before he hangs up the boots, Saunders was nervous after the two Tatts opening batsmen got their side off to a flying start, and he was proud of the way his side fought back and secured a comfortable victory.

“It feels really good to reclaim the cup and beat Tatts again,” Saunders said.

“It was a good game. I thought we’d be chasing 150 or 160 with the start they got. But we bowled well after that and we clawed them back. I think 82 was not too bad. We regrouped really well, and it was because we slowed it down and got the wickets we needed.

“In our batting innings, we had the young fellas out there and they were confident. We had Mick (Dowdell) and Craig (O’Connor) there as well at five and six, which made it very strong for us.

“Tatts didn’t have Darcy Gleeson either, so their bowling attack wasn’t as strong after we saw Chris (Hartnett) out.”

Saunders said that he was proud of his team for winning a fourth T20 title in five seasons to go with five straight one day premierships, and he said all of the focus was now on winning their sixth red ball grand final in as many seasons.

“We have a great family club here,” he added.

“We enjoy being around each other and playing cricket.

“A couple of us older guys probably aren’t going to go around again next year, but the club’s in good hands with young guys like Gabe (O’Connor) and Max (Hunter). Those young guys are the future of the club.”