Grahame Jenkinson shed a tear at No.1 Sportsground on Sunday.
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The long-serving Toronto scorer, better known by his nickname Jenko, had been on the books since 1971-72.
And this was the first time he'd seen the Kookaburras hold aloft the Newcastle District Cricket Association premiership trophy.
"He [Jenko] might even make good on his threat to retire now he's seen first grade finally win a title," Toronto captain Adrian Chad said during his acceptance speech.
Like many from the club, six decades after originally joining the competition as Southern Lakes, that magic moment was well worth the wait.
"First grade premiers! Sixty years in the making. So many hard workers behind the scenes but a very special bunch of players got it done," Toronto posted on social media in the wake of experiencing grand final glory.
Toronto had been close before - runner-up in 2008-09, minor premiers in 1973-74 and at least a handful of semi-final losses.
But in 2018-19 they broke through in the most dramatic of fashions.
Dismissing Hamilton-Wickham for 164 on Saturday, the Kookaburras reached 2-83 on day two before a middle-order collapse of 6-25 saw them eight down and 56 runs short.
Hope was all-but lost.
However, the longer all-rounder Griffin Lea and No.10 Brendon Charlton, who took a five-for the day before, stayed out in the middle the more belief would slowly build.
A dropped catch, some edges past slips and a few turned-down LBW appeals added to the theatre.
Eventually, on a sun-drenched afternoon, they made it.
"It was just unbelievable," Chad said.
And the maiden crown becomes a fitting tribute for club stalwart and former Test spinner Robert "Dutchy" Holland, who died around 18 months ago.
Hamwicks reached all three finals this campaign, were Tom Locker Cup champions and minor premiers, but the disappointment of skipper Matt Webber was real and he described it as "an opportunity lost".
Charlestown and Merewether went down in the semis while University and title holders Wests only narrowly missed the top four.
Wallsend and Cardiff-Boolaroo put themselves in the mix with improved seasons, Belmont and City had their moments while Stockton and Waratah struggled to be competitive week to week.
NDCA FINAL
TOM LOCKER CUP
NCC SUMMER BASH
HIGHEST SCORE
BEST MATCH FIGURES
BEST INNINGS FIGURES
NEWCASTLE HERALD TEAM OF THE YEAR
Andrew Harriott (University): Fresh from almost a decade with Northern Districts in the state capital, "Buddy" made 695 runs at an average of 43.44.
Aaron Wivell (Wests): Right hander struck 615 runs at 41 per knock.
Rahul Bakshi (Cardiff): Third campaign in Australia, 600 plus at, again, better than 40.
Jonty Durrheim (Waratah): Left-handed all-rounder scored 566 runs and claimed 21 wickets.
Joseph Price (Wests): Pivotal for the Rosellas - 537 runs, 42 wickets and seven catches.
Jeremy Ford (Toronto): Wicketkeeper who had 38 dismissals and also made 512 runs.
Matt Webber (Hamwicks): Led from the front at Pumas - 504 runs and 36 wickets.
Griffin Lea (Toronto): Paceman with 43 wickets and 289 runs.
Tim O'Neill (Merewether): Left-arm orthodox spinner just keeps delivering, 44 wickets all up.
Daniel Chillingworth (Charlestown): Leggie with 48 wickets across the board.
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