A promising campaign has ended in victory for the Astor Rats, who claimed the Second Grade T20 competition trophy with a win over the Goats on Saturday.
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![Clinched: The Rats celebrate at Seiffert Oval after defeating the Goats in a close encounter. Photo: Supplied. Clinched: The Rats celebrate at Seiffert Oval after defeating the Goats in a close encounter. Photo: Supplied.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/ijfQKXbsEKgSKGW5xB5NiF/72fa373e-d5bf-4b6d-b3ec-e4204d1cfa3f.jpg/r353_333_2593_1386_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Rats surprised many with their results throughout the First and Second Grade T20 tournament, which began in late November.
They took an early lead on the ladder, before finishing in third place overall, just behind the Tatts Stags and Hibo CC.
Saturday's Second Grade final, played at Seiffert Oval as a prelude to the First Grade final, was a much closer affair than many anticipated.
The Goats, who finished last on the ladder, upset the Warriors in the elimination final to claim the vacant spot in the grand final, but Rats veteran Shane Munroe was far from surprised.
"I did expect it to be a tight match," Munroe said.
"We had a grand final scheduled last season when COVID hit, but we cancelled that and they got the trophy, so it was a little bit burning for us."
And a tight match it was.
The Rats won the toss and elected to bat first. Several members of the top order got starts, but could not go on to get definitive scores.
Daniel Munroe (32), Macleay Robinson (23), and Isaac Walker (21) propelled the Rats early, but after they fell a collapse ensued.
At 6-93, the Goats threatened to roll through the Rats' few remaining batsmen, until Jesse Apps walked in at number nine.
Apps' 25 not out was crucial for the Rats, and secured a score of 8-144 at the end of the innings.
"Jesse Apps, he was great," Munroe said.
"We won the game by 16 runs and he took 16 off their best bowler in the last over. We won the match in two overs today ... in our 20th over batting and our 17th over bowling."
The run chase was close from the outset of the second innings. The Goats appeared on track to reach the Rats' total until Daniel Munroe came on and took two late wickets.
This stalled the Goats' progress enough to ensure a nine-run win for the Rats and brought to an end a successful T20 competition.
"That's what T20 cricket is, it's exciting," Munroe said.
"This competition has been what we were hoping for, the players have bought in."
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