Freak finish hands Gold Coast Thunder T20 title success

The most thrilling finish imaginable has handed the Gold Coast Thunder the Bulls Masters Country Challenge title and a night of “all hell breaking loose”.

THE most thrilling finish imaginable has handed the Gold Coast Thunder the Bulls Masters Country Challenge title and a night of “all hell breaking loose”.

Veteran Nic Peterson’s direct hit run-out from point yesterday changed the course of the T20 representative decider just as the Duckworth-Lewis system appeared to be swaying to the North Queensland Monsoons.

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Chasing 6-153 the northerners were 2-50 at the Gabba, needing to be 2-51 from seven overs in order to stay ahead of the calculations should the rain return.

It did, but not before one last ball in which the batting pair attempted the go-ahead single, giving Peterson his moment to shine.

Gold Coast Thunder after winning the Bulls Masters Country Challenge T20 title at the Gabba. Picture: ROBERT JONES/ACTION PHOTOS

“He’s a jet across the ground,” coach Simon Belston said of the Southport-Labrador batsman.

“He’s very quick and very good. For him to get that run-out, it was a big moment in the game and changed the Duckworth-Lewis (required score) to 56.”

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Belston was well aware of the calculations, keeping a sheet in his pocket on the side of the field.

“We knew it was (a big moment) because the rain was coming,” Belston said.

“It was quite tense.

“We were fortunate to get on at all because the game had already been reduced to 19 overs each side.

Gold Coast Thunder bowler Phil Tunnicliffe at the Gabba. Picture: ROBERT JONES/ACTION PHOTOS

“We were confident we were going to be able to defend our score but we also knew that powerplay was going to be crucial.”

The Thunder had reached the T20 final after powering through the preliminary rounds in October.

Gold Coast Thunder batsman Nic Peterson. Picture: ROBERT JONES/ACTION PHOTOS

They proved they were worthy as opener Kevin Chapman (65) joined the big-hitting Phil Tunnicliffe in a 58-run opening salvo which set the tone.

“We had done all the hard work in Bundaberg,” Belston said, referring to the preliminary rounds.

“We put a lot into it and we got our rewards.

“(Opener) Kevin Chapman was very classy with his 65 and the guys deserve that.”

And for celebrations?

“We were in the Queensland Cricketers’ Club and I’m sure (later on) all hell will break loose,” Belston said.

The Thunder won’t play again until next season and Belston admitted he won’t be making any decisions on retaining personnel or bringing in new talent until closer to the 2020/21 Kookaburra Cup campaign.