Valley won its second senior club title in 25 years when it prevailed over Waitaki Boys' High in a tense finish to the Brydone Borton Cup final played at Milner Park on Saturday.
The game was hanging in the balance when both teams were tied on five bonus points with six of the mandatory final 17 overs to be bowled. Waitaki had scored 211 for seven declared after being sent in to bat and Valley reached 75 for no loss to gain its fifth point and draw level.
When Valley opener Craig Power was bowled by David Sewell in the next over and Waitaki needed to take only one more wicket to gain what would have been the match-winning bonus point.
However the experienced pair of Craig Hore and Paddy Bleach held out for the last five overs, taking the score to 80 for one, and giving their team victory on the basis of losing fewer wickets than Waitaki.
Although Valley won the final on a technicality, the match did not lack excitement. The pressure increased steadily in the last hour and spectators were on the edge of their seats during the final overs.
A fine stand opening stand by Aaron Dawe and Mea Vai gave Waitaki a good platform to build a competitive total while Duane Hoffman gave the lower order a boost. Dawe top scored with a solid innings of 60 which included some attractive cover drives and delicate leg glances.
Hoffman was not out on 34 when Waitaki declared, setting Valley a target of 212 in one hour and 17 overs.
A tight opening spell by Waitaki's medium pace attack of Sewell and Hayden McKenzie ended Valleys hopes of reaching its target and its priority quickly switched to conserving wickets. Hore and Power defended superbly against some accurate bowling although Hore was fortunate to be dropped early in his innings
A confident appeal for leg before wicket against Bleach in the penultimate over had Valley supporters holding their breaths but he survived to guide Valley to the narrowest of wins.
Short Scorecard(s)
Senior - Borton Cup - Final
Valley Senior vs Waitaki Boys 1st XI at Milner Park, Oamaru
Waitaki Boys 1st XI 211 ( A. Dawe 60, M. Vai 34, D. Hoffman 34no, C. Smith 17, J. Liddicoat 16, J. Brent 16, J. Mavor 12, G. Johnson 2-33, K. Mansfield 2-49 )
Valley Senior 80-1 ( C. Hore 46no, C. Power 12 )
Valley by points
Full scorecard for the match