Lee Dixon has ranked Chester Boughton Hall’s National Club T20 triumph as one of the finest moments of the club’s history.
The Hall skipper led by example and smashed 87 from just 47 balls to lead his side to a 98-run triumph over Ashstead in the final at Northants CCC’s County Ground on Tuesday night.
Their triumph, the club’s first-ever success at a national competition, saw them crowned the kings of club T20 cricket in a competition which more than 800 teams entered at the beginning of the season.
“It is just unbelievable and it is a day that me and the rest of the guys will always remember,” said Dixon, whose side beat Middlesbrough outfit Great Ayton in Tuesday morning’s semi-final thanks to a superb 5-13 from young bowler Jack Williams, a pupil at Christleton High School.
“It is probably the greatest achievement in this clubs proud history as they have never won a national title before,” added Dixon.
“It could be that it will be a once in a lifetime event for us. I hope not as we have all had a taste for it now and want to experience more success.
“To do it with this group of guys has been extra special. What we have achieved has been miraculous and it has been a magical journey for all of us.
The finals day had been due to be shown live on Sky Sports, but the broadcaster last week announced they would be screening the County Championship clash between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire instead, with a highlights programme to be shown at a later date.
Despite that disappointment, Dixon hailed the support of the friends and family who made the trip to Northamptonshire and those who had wished the club well.
“We had our friends and family all there to share in the moment with us,” he added.
“Sharing that moment on the Northants ground after the game, having a drink with the team and celebrating with loved ones, it is something that will stay with me forever.”
Hall set an imposing 178-7 in the final against their Surrey Championship Division Two opponents Ashtead before Mark Rowlands took 4-11 to help skittle them for 80ao to take the title.
The success of the Filkins Lane side comes on the back of their triumph over Macclesfield in the Cheshire Cup on Sunday and ahead of another tilt at silveware in the Liverpool Echo KO Cup against Wallasey on home turf this weekend.
With the club still in with a shout of retaining the Cheshire Premier League title, although requiring an unlikely slip-up from league leaders Hyde, Dixon’s side are on course for a famous trophy haul.
He added: “We set targets of achieving trophy success at the beginning of the season, but if someone would have offered us what we’ve done at the start of the season then we’d have snapped their hand off.”
