Waihola finally got it done.
The Swans roared with delight in Milton on Saturday after finally getting their hands on the South Otago premier club 40-over championship.
They had been beaten by Owaka in four consecutive finals but the long wait for success ended with a crushing 91-run win.
Waihola posted 206 for six batting first before rolling the Bandits for 115 in the 32nd over.
Opening batter Rowan Craw played the key role with the bat for Waihola.
His chanceless 90 was rated by South Otago correspondent Francis Parker as one of the best knocks he had seen in the competition.
Craw scored his runs off 108 balls, whacking five fours and a six before, ironically, becoming one of Parker’s two victims.
Fellow opener Marc Kohey added 22 but the Waihola innings lost some momentum with a flurry of wickets.
That momentum was restored when Dylan Bungard thumped an unbeaten 56 (seven fours, one six) off 51 balls to power the Swans to their solid total.
Will Clark bowled superbly for Owaka, finishing with two for 11 from four overs, while Parker had two for 42 from eight overs.
The Bandits’ reply featured one man holding up an end without getting enough support.
Opening batter Jeremy Gray did his bit with 56 off 73 balls, hitting seven fours and a six.
The next best score was Parker’s gutsy 16 off 47 balls.
Waihola were outstanding as their attack bowled tight lines and their fielders snared a couple of super catches and stopped plenty of runs.
Craig Gordon led the Swans bowlers with four for 20 from six overs, and Kellan Crowie had the honour of claiming the final wicket as he finished with three for 22.
