After a hectic weekend with wet weather, hot weather, big sixes, plentiful wickets, and dramatic games, the inaugural Goulburn MG T20 Cup has come to an end.
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But despite hectic nature of the tournament, or perhaps because of it, everything went better than Goulburn District Cricket Association vice president, Dean Roxburgh, could have hoped for.
"It's better than we could have hoped for," Roxburgh said.
"The scores didn't blow out, which is exactly what we were after, but the cricket's been good and the banter was even better."
Late last year, when the tournament was still being planned, GDCA president Shane Munroe had hoped it would be a "carnival of cricket".
With almost two full days of cricket on display for locals to enjoy, it's safe to say he achieved this goal. The day games were well-attended by members of the cricketing fraternity and some curious locals. But by night, Seiffert Oval was completely surrounded by spectators in their cars.
At no time was that more the case than the grand final on Sunday night. Local DJ, Amy James, played music throughout the evening, and local player Jack Murdoch emceed the game, which he punctuated with witty comments and pitch-side interviews with players.
All the while, a scintillating game of cricket was played out under lights.
Though the final and the attendance was pleasing to the GDCA, there were other aspects of the tournament which were equally meaningful.
Foremost among these was the raffle, which raised roughly $1,800 for the groundstaff and their equipment. This total was inflated significantly after the game when the victorious MBK United Panthers announced they would donate their $1,500 in winnings as well.
Although the weekend had exceeded his expectations, Munroe made sure to thank all the volunteers who had contributed and helped get the competition off the ground.
"There was a lot of hard work put in by all the people to get this going," he said.
"Everybody who helped out put so much into this, my blokes, Rob Collins out at Marulan, the ground staff; it was so much effort.
"But judging by the smiles, and the laughs, and the crowd tonight, I think we achieved our goal over the weekend."
Munroe also made sure to thank David Albrighton of Goulburn Country Motors, who helped develop the tournament and was one of its primary sponsors.
- Also read: Goulburn MG T20 Cup: day two in pictures
For all the effort he went to in order to ensure the tournament's success, and the direction in which he has taken Goulburn cricket since becoming president, Munroe himself was praised by Roxburgh.
"I don't believe Shane takes enough credit," he said during the post-final interviews.
"I think you've done a fantastic job over the last two seasons."
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