In what was a glorious day at Sunset Oval, Black Stars won the game by five wickets after Townview scored 178 in the first innings.

Starries chased down the total with little trouble in the 22nd over after a strong knock of 94 by opener Scott Kyle.

Townview was on the back foot straight away, losing the two massive wickets of captain Billy Baillie (5) and Luke Henry (4) in the second over courtesy of Black Stars captain Kyle Keighery (3-22).

Townview all-rounder Clint Heuir (31) came in next to steady the innings with a 46-run partnership with Luke Iles (26) before Black Stars bowler Jamie Stewart (3-40) dismissed Heuir in the 12th over.

Iles tried his best to steer his team’s total in the right direction but wickets from Black Stars Stewart and all-rounder Andrew Lawrenson (2-28) interrupted the Townview opener pushing on.

A 34-run partnership midway in the innings between Tyrone Coetzee and Iles inspired the Townview tail, which kept the runs ticking over until the 40th over.

Black Stars could not have asked for a better start to their batting innings with openers Kyle and Keighery (15) scoring at a run rate of 10 in the first four overs.

Townview bowler Heuir (3-53) put in an immense effort trying to build some momentum when he was on a hat-trick after taking the wickets of Trent Cameron (4) and Andrew Cullis (0). 

But the important wicket of Kyle was not taken until the 22nd over, the same over Black Stars Ian Barlow (4 n.o.) scored the winning runs for the undefeated premiers.

Black Stars captain Keighery was very happy for his team to see the year out undefeated.

“It’s really good to finish on a high note,” Keighery said.

“We had a bit of a hoodoo over ourselves during the week knowing that it had never been done (undefeated). Everyone was letting us know that during the week.”

Keighery, who is in his first year as captain, says the high average age of his team had been pivotal to getting results this season.

“The average [age] of our team is very high compared to other teams. We have a few old heads there, which brings a good balance. I think it has been the key to our success this year.”

Black Stars used a squad of 18 players throughout the season and every one of them has played their part, according to the captain.

“Everyone’s done their job. It’s quite tough narrowing down 18 players  to 11 for the grand final. But they all took it well. This year wouldn’t have happened without them all.”

The individual Mount Isa Cricket Association award winners will be announced in tomorrow’s paper.