Happy family Bournemouth spin all-rounder Conor Smith hit a six off the last ball to win the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 Cup for Altona North, his adopted Australian club.
Smith was at the crease for the dying overs of this week's Grand Final against Deer Park, the result coming down to last ball with Altona needing five runs to win.
Chasing Deer Park's 109-8, Altona plunged to 91-8 and, with 14 runs still needed, were second favourites when the last over began.
It came down to five to win off the final ball which Smith dispatched high over deep mid-on to spark a mass celebration in the Altona North ranks.
"As soon as I hit the ball, I knew that it was going over the boundary and get our side the win.
“I'm capable of hitting sixes, as I've done more than once back home at Chapel Gate. I backed myself and it came off," said Smith, who finished 19 not out off 15 balls.
Smith, whose parents and elder brother are currently holidaying in Melbourne and grabbed last minute tickets for the final, confessed he enjoyed a few 'tinnies' after the match.
"I woke up the next morning to see all the messages from back home in England which is pretty cool..”
Smith and his Altona North team-mates have bigger fish to fly this weekend. Heading into the final round, Altona North sits atop the Isaacs Howarth Shield ladder.
“That’s the number one,” he said. “It would be good to back it up. We’ll be back at training on Thursday night and focus on winning the Saturday one.
"We’ve done really well and have been working on our fielding this year. We’ll stick with what we are doing and hopefully we’ll come out on top.”
Smith has spent his second winter season with Altona North and plans to return to Bournemouth in good time for the start of the Southern Premier Division season, which sees Basingstoke & North Hants visit Chapel Gate on May 4.
Smith was at the crease for the dying overs of this week's Grand Final against Deer Park, the result coming down to last ball with Altona needing five runs to win.
Chasing Deer Park's 109-8, Altona plunged to 91-8 and, with 14 runs still needed, were second favourites when the last over began.
It came down to five to win off the final ball which Smith dispatched high over deep mid-on to spark a mass celebration in the Altona North ranks.
"As soon as I hit the ball, I knew that it was going over the boundary and get our side the win.
“I'm capable of hitting sixes, as I've done more than once back home at Chapel Gate. I backed myself and it came off," said Smith, who finished 19 not out off 15 balls.
Smith, whose parents and elder brother are currently holidaying in Melbourne and grabbed last minute tickets for the final, confessed he enjoyed a few 'tinnies' after the match.
"I woke up the next morning to see all the messages from back home in England which is pretty cool..”
Smith and his Altona North team-mates have bigger fish to fly this weekend. Heading into the final round, Altona North sits atop the Isaacs Howarth Shield ladder.
“That’s the number one,” he said. “It would be good to back it up. We’ll be back at training on Thursday night and focus on winning the Saturday one.
"We’ve done really well and have been working on our fielding this year. We’ll stick with what we are doing and hopefully we’ll come out on top.”
Smith has spent his second winter season with Altona North and plans to return to Bournemouth in good time for the start of the Southern Premier Division season, which sees Basingstoke & North Hants visit Chapel Gate on May 4.
