Cobden headed into the decider against Mortlake, which had come from fourth spot on the table to reach the final, as favourite, given its status as the higher-ranked team from the regular season.

After Cobden lost the toss and was sent in to field, bowler Mitch Reed produced an exceptional performance, causing headaches for Mortlake’s top order.

He took four wickets, while Josh Worboys finished with impressive figures of 3-3. The two efforts kept Mortlake to 63 runs.

Cobden’s top order came out strongly as Mortlake tried valiantly to defend its small total.

Braden Poole (34 not out) and Worboys (18 runs) put on a strong opening partnership to take the game out of Mortlake’s reach, combining for a 45-run stand.

Cobden lost just one wicket on its way to the club’s seventh premiership from nine consecutive grand final appearances.

Mitch Reed was judged player of the match for his 4-15, coming just a week after he produced the same figures in the semi-final win over Noorat.

Cobden co-coach David Hallyburton said there were some standout performances with bat and ball, while the team as a whole lifted after a sluggish start in the field.

“The kids just really took it upon themselves to get involved,” he said.

“They fielded a little bit loose early on, dropped a catch, but they picked themselves up and got going.

“Our opening bowlers bowled well in both games (the semi-final and grand final) … (and) our opening batsmen probably did the same as they did the game before.”

Mortlake coach Glenn Gray said the Cats’ juniors should be proud of their efforts in making it to the decider, given how young a team they fielded.

“The kids are disappointed (to lose), but they’re ecstatic to have actually been in a grand final,” he said.

“Even after they made 63 runs, they still had the belief they could do it.

“As a group, they backed each other quite well and they had the belief they could get the job done.”

South West cricket also presented its colts awards following the grand final.

Simpson’s Jake Robbins won the cricketer of the year, while Braden Poole took out the batting aggregate award for his 211 runs, which came at an average of 19.18.

Three players shared the bowling aggregate award, with Robbins, Cobden’s Mathew Kemp and Noorat’s Harry O’Sullivan each taking 18 wickets, at an incredible average of  4.28, 3.67 and 9.28 respectively.