BEVERFORD Tavern upset the favoured WDEA Works Saints by 56 runs in the Swan Hill District Cricket Association McDonalds T20 Grand Final just before Christmas.
Heading into the game as underdogs, the Demons put in a commanding performance that was indicative of their form throughout December.
The Demons faithful have Dean Harrop (68 off 41) to thank for this piece of silverware, with the wicketkeeper-batsman making batting look easy on a pitch where everyone else struggled to find rhythm to their innings.
With rain threatening to derail the contest late in the afternoon, the game was reduced to a 15-over match.
Demons skipper Ben Shadbolt made the risky decision to bat first on a slightly damp track.
It appeared to be the wrong choice early on as the Demons lost both Charlie Boulton and Shane Fleming for ducks to leave them two wickets down for no runs.
Boulton was involved in a horrible mix-up with his opening partner before Fleming himself departed courtesy of a brilliant catch by Austin McKerrow.
Things went from bad to worse for the Demons when in-form Joel Walsh was dismissed for a quick-fire 18.
This brought Harrop to the crease for a man-of-the-match performance that saw him score over half of his sides runs.
The Saints continued to pick up regular wickets to have the Demons 5-48, but a 70-run sixth wicket partnership between Harrop and Drew Llyod (11 not out) enabled the Demons to post an above-par total of 5-118.
Corey Daniels (2-23 from 3.0) was the best with the ball for the Saints.
In reply, the Saints were never in the contest after a first over debacle that saw them lose three wickets.
Lloyd (3-19 from 3.0) did the damage with the ball, snaring the crucial wicket of Jake Foster first ball before picking up the breakthroughs of Bailey Codling and Jared Halligan to leave the Saints reeling at 3-8 after six balls.
The contest was dead and buried after the Demon’s blistering start.
Collapses littered the Saint’s innings, losing 3-2 in the middle overs and 4-9 to finish the game which highlighted how hard it was to start on the Showgrounds wicket that evening.
The Saints will get a chance to redeem themselves soon with a spot already booked in the Kookaburra Cup Final.
The trophy cabinet at Nyah Recreation Reserve is now glittering with the Demons now the reigning premiers in both the T20 and SHDCA A Grade competitions.
