Narrabri have won their second War Veterans Cup title in three seasons after a 48-run win over Tamworth at Collins Park on Sunday.
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Opener Nick Smart again laid the foundation for the home side's win: a 112-ball 70 that propelled Narrabri to 7-167 off 50 overs.
Tamworth veteran Ben Middlebrook - coming a five-wicket haul in Old Boys' T20 defeat of Wests on Saturday - took 4-44 off 10 overs.
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Tamworth's in-form openers Simon Norvill (7) and Brad Smith (1) failed to fire. However, Tamworth captain Jye Paterson - who struck a patient 95-ball 53 - and Shaun Stevenson stabilised the innings somewhat with a 48-run third-wicket stand.
When Stevenson fell for 26, the visitors were 3-62. And then 4-67 when teenager Liam Rodgers went for two. They were in real trouble at 5-90 when Middlebrook departed for eight.
Narrabri quickly mopped up the tail, with Tamworth removed for 119 in the 43rd over. Chris Sargent took 4-19 off 10 overs.
Narrabri went undefeated in what was a truncated competition following Armidale's withdrawal.
Narrabri captain Lachie Cameron said winning a second War Veterans Cup in three years was "massive" after so many lean years.
"It's been a long, long time since we've beaten a Tamworth side in a War Veterans Cup final in Narrabri," he said. "It's big. We've gone undefeated ... This is the peak, I guess."
While praising Smart for his valuable contribution, Cameron said his attack had been the key to the side's success throughout the competition - and that was again the case in the final.
