In a game that could have gone either way, that ebbed and flowed across two days and culminated in a grandstand finish - James King proved the difference.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A captain's knock when it was needed most delivered Wests a second Newcastle District Cricket Association premiership in four seasons, mirroring the minor-major double from 2017-18.
It also delivered Belmont the cruellest of blows, having clawed their way back into the contest but ultimately finishing one wicket shy of victory.
King, the only Rosellas player to reach double figures, did most of the work with his own bat and scored an unbeaten 68 that featured the winning runs.
After emerging triumphant from such a tight tussle he punched the air with delight, raised his bat to teammates and embraced No.11 Stewart Morgan, who ended up one not out off 37 pressure-soaked deliveries.
They combined for a 10th-wicket partnership of 35, having come together at 9-73 and in danger of falling short.
King described the feeling as "euphoric".
"From where we were to where we got to was unbelievable. It's not like a game I've ever played in before." he said amid the celebrations at the New Lambton venue.
Wests collapsed in the first session, having resumed at 3-17 with an almost reversed batting line-up they lost 4-7 including the prized scalp of NDCA player of the year Joseph Price.
This left the Rosellas reeling at 7-24, in an even more precarious position than Belmont were (7-35) just 24 hours earlier on day one.
Dan Bailey (4-45) struck three times in quick succession and Friday's top scorer Jace Lawson (3-23) also chipped in again.
Ray Cooper (1-37) bowled Josh Emerton to make it 8-52 and No.10 Jeremy Nunan was then run out.
However, despite Belmont's best efforts, some close calls and a nervous 40-minute wait over the break when 9-101, King remained cool, calm and collected to get the job done on home soil.
"I love this club and to be captain of this club makes me really proud," King said.
IN THE NEWS:
- Dodge Ram pick-up truck goes up in flames on Scenic Drive in Merewether
- Toohey's News Podcast: A heathy and happy Jarrod Mullen is tackling his new life head on
- Lay days called at Newcastle WSL event
- Six taken to hospital after Nelson Bay Road crash
- Crakanthorp backs city to behave when lockout laws lifted
Belmont skipper Marcus Hainsworth admitted "it hurts" to get so close but miss out on the title.
"We had enough chances to win that final and it was lost early yesterday," Hainsworth said.
He was also "proud" of the way his XI rallied throughout the 2020-21 showdown.
Good Friday and Easter Saturday were utilised as the spare weekend after play didn't go ahead as scheduled on March 27 and 28 because of recent wet weather.
Wests and Belmont progressed to the decider as the highest-ranked teams on the competition ladder after last month's semis were completely washed out.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News