And for the second time in a row, it was the Bulls who took the spoils to claim the Twenty20 title.

If given the chance, Tamba Industrial captain Mitchell Swain always wanted to bat and after finishing on 9-88, the skipper was still confident in his decision.

“A few senior blokes didn't step up with the bat, myself included, which was disappointing,” Swain said.

“I said to the boys before we went in to field, stranger things have happened and if we bowl well enough, we can defend anything.

“It’s very hard to chase in a final. There’s a lot of pressure and that’s why I batted first because runs on the board is enormous in a Twenty20 situation.”

Brett Lobsey (21) and Brad Swain (20) topped the scoring for the Bulls in a match dominated by the bowlers.

Ben Irwin (2-15) and Oscar King (2-17) got the Stars on top early before captain Farran Lamb (2-5) and Bill Leys (3-26) chimed in.

Sign Print Stitch’s innings with the bat started in a similar vein to Tamba Industrial’s as Mitchell Swain (3-20) claimed the first wicket with just one run on the board.

King (20) then took the score to 29 before falling to James McGowan (1-14).

Josh Leys (2-11) and Hayden Baker (2-16) took two scalps each as the Stars fell to 9-74.

A late flurry from Matt Hannay (14*) brought Sign Print Stitch right back into the game.

In the end the Stars needed three off the final ball to win.

“They [the Stars] actually had a chance to draw it but we ran their last wicket out when they were coming back for two,” captain Swain said.

“It was unbelievable how close it was. The last game we played them, it came to the last ball couple of balls as well.

“It was a fitting end to a pretty good comp. Everyone enjoyed themselves – I know everyone in our side certainly did.”

While Swain said the batting was a disappointment in the final, he said there was some key bowling efforts from proven performers throughout the season.

“I thought James McGowan was outstanding all year,” Swain said.

“I don’t think he took a heap of wickets but the majority of the year I bowled him four overs straight and not many weeks he leaked too many runs.

“Young Hayden Baker. He’s probably a bit underrated with his bowling and he was fantastic for us.

“A few of those young blokes were certainly our best bowlers throughout the year.”

Swain also thanked the likes of Gunnedah District Cricket Association president Brad Gander, Katrina King and Zac Clarke for playing key roles in the success of the competition along with the junior and senior associations and the sponsors.

Gander couldn’t have been happier with how the competition panned out.

“It was awesome, everyone got behind it and it was really good,” he said.

“I can't say enough about the sponsors, they all got on board and the final came down to the last ball. You can’t ask for much more than that.”