IT was a moment the North Nowra-Cambewarra Cricket Club had been waiting 25 years for.
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And it finally arrived on Sunday, as they defeated reigning premiers Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens to claim their first ever first grade title in the Shoalhaven District Cricket Association.
Played at Hayden Drexel Oval, wet conditions saw play start at 3.45pm on Saturday - with the visitors winning the toss and electing to bowl.
This was a strategy by Justin Weller's men that had seen them go undefeated since Christmas - bowl first and have the confidence they can chase down any total.
This plan started perfectly, as the combination of Hugh Gillen and Samuel Lowcock had Chris Bramley stumped for just two.
The damage could have been much worse for the hosts, with both Mat Ganderton and Daniel Gleeson being dropped soon after.
It was these missed chances that saw Ex-Servos reach 4/128 at stumps on day one, thanks to 73 not out by Daniel Gleeson and 27 from Ganderton.
When play resumed on day two, Norths knew they needed early wickets - which is just what happened.
Nathan Tyrrell (11) was the first to fall, being dismissed by Justin Weller - leaving the hosts at 5/140.
Ten runs later, skipper Gleeson, after only adding two runs on his birthday, fell for 75 after being bowled by Dean Tyson.
This was the start of an almighty collapse for Ex-Servos, who lost their final five wickets for 15 runs, to be all out for 165 in the 50th over.
The two catalysts to this destruction was Weller (4/85) and Tyson (3/15), who both claimed three wickets each on Sunday morning.
After their strong morning in the field, Norths looked to carry that momentum with them to the crease, as they began the most important chase in the club's history.
But all that confidence was quickly evaporated as Hugh Gillen fell for a golden duck before Luke Huard (five) and Shane Bell (two) followed, all off the bowling of Nate Jones, to leave Norths reeling at 3/20.
Enter Nick McDonald and Graham Davidson.
The pair dug their heels in and slowly wrestled the match back in the favour of the visitors, combining to score a 116-run fourth wicket partnership.
McDonald would eventually fall for 68, being dismissed by Justin Ganderton, but the damage had been done.
Man of the match Davidson (69 not out) and Lowcock (12 not out) then guided Norths past the target (4/166) in the 58th over, to secure Norths their first ever premiership in the top grade.
Jones did all he could for Ex-Servos with the cherry, finishing with 3/47, while Justin Ganderton claimed 1/16.
After being presented the trophy, Norths skipper Weller was absolutely over the moon.
"You can see by the amount of support we've received over the weekend, how much this trophy means to everyone that has been a part of the club for the past 25 years," he said.
"I'm glad we've been able to reward all their hard work over the years with this premiership trophy."