Josh Atwell hits 20 off the final over to secure victory for Portland in Sungold Cup finals

A country cricketer produced his best Glenn Maxwell impression with a stunning final over to lead his club to its most significant win in the last decade. SEE HIM IN ACTION.

Portland captain Will Oakley concedes he thought his team’s chances of making the finals of the Sungold Cup were dead and buried before middle-order hitter Josh Atwell turned into country cricket’s next version of Glenn Maxwell with a devastating final over display.

The Tigers, taking on Warrnambool/Moyne side Allansford-Panmure, needed 19 runs from the final over to progress to the semi’s of the tournament, which will be held on the Australia Day long weekend.

Their hopes of winning looked to be over.

But Atwell stepped up to deliver the stunning result.

After scoring four from the first two balls, the Portland batsman hit two sixes down the ground before scoring the winning runs, with one ball to spare, with another shot down the ground for four.

Portland's Josh Atwell hit 20 runs off the final over to win the teams match against Allansford Panmure and qualify the Tigers for the Sungold Cup finals. Picture: Portland Cricket Club.

“He was pretty stoked about it,” Oakley said after Atwell hit the winning runs.

“He was the perfect man to be out there at that time, so it suits him to a tee.

“He hadn’t got hold of any (bowler) until that point.”

Portland was chasing 141 for victory after restricting Allansford-Panmure to 140.

Oakley said Llewellyn Oakley, Chad Finck, and Shanaka Silva impressed with the ball.

Despite a good start the Tigers were forced to score at 11 an over in the last five overs to prevail.

“We were a bit worried,” Oakley said.

“Looking back through the innings we were thinking we left too many to chase over the last few overs.

“But when he (Atwell) hit that first six we were kind of like ‘it’s game on we’re a chance’.”

Portland’s win now qualifies the team for the semis, which start on Sunday.

The tournament features the best two teams from the Mount Gambier, Colac and Warrnambool Moyne leagues with the top team from the Portland league and Hamilton competition also involved.

It’s been a tough couple of years for Portland against other teams from the area.

The senior football side has not won since Anzac Day in 2023 and it’s been more than a decade since the last Tigers team made the Sungold Cup finals.

Oakley said he hoped the win inspired the community.

“There’s a handful of us who play footy for Portland in the Hampden league,” he said.

“Wins like that are massive (for the town).

“The Warrnambool comp is so highly regarded and we have enormous respect for how good the cricketers are.

“To be able to come away with the win is enormous for the club.”

Portland will take on Mortlake in the semi with Alvie taking on Stoneyford in the other game.

Originally published as Josh Atwell hits 20 off the final over to secure victory for Portland in Sungold Cup finals