ALL-ROUNDER Jonty Durrheim hopes that Waratah-Mayfield's drought-breaking finals appearance in the Newcastle District Cricket Association top grade translates to the remaining rounds and next season.
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Durrheim, who captained the Waratahs throughout the T20 Summer Bash, wants their recent efforts in the shorter format to provide a launch pad for the club beyond this campaign.
"I certainly hope that this translates to both the remaining two two-dayers and also our T20 campaign next year," Durrheim said after Sunday's loss to Newcastle City at Waratah Oval.
It was their maiden showing in the T20 Summer Bash final, falling 14 runs shy of the Sabres after being restricted to 8-130 in reply.
Waratah-Mayfield hadn't made a decider in any first XI competition for almost 25 years.
The most recent was the second of back-to-back two-day outings in 1996-97, which marks a minor-major premiership for the club.
Just prior were Tom Locker Cup appearances, resulting in a loss for 1995-96 but a one-day title in 1993-94.
Durrheim praised the support given to the current side by the club's 'old boys'.
"It was great to have the support down here for our old boys day," he said.
"It was great we could put on a show, but it would have been nice to get over the line."
The Waratahs won three and lost one of their five preliminary round encounters last month before advancing to the quarters and overcoming the Sea Dragons (University) in a five-over affair at Wallsend Oval on February 7.
In Sunday's earlier semi-final they handed the Rosellas their first loss for 2020-21, claiming 10-44 after Wests were 0-92 in pursuit of 8-148.
They remained in the hunt for a large part of the decider.
"I think we had an exceptional campaign to get to this point and the boys definitely stepped up today, which I'm very proud of their efforts," Durrheim said.
"But all credit to City, they played exceptional today and throughout the whole campaign."
James Psarakis and Connor Blaxall-Hill were marquees for the Waratahs.
Meanwhile, in the NDCA Women's T20 League and Waratah-Mayfield progressed to a second straight decider after defeating newcomers Merewether by 10 wickets at Connolly Park on Wednesday.
NSW Country leg-spinner Jaclyn Vickery took 4-2 as Merewether were dismissed for 33. Tayla Braithwaite finished 28 not out from 22 balls as Waratah-Mayfield reached the target in 5.4 overs.
The second semi-final between title holders City and the Vixens has been pushed back until Monday.
Jesmond Park will host the top-two showdown on February 24.
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