Orana Outlaws’ triumphant season | VIDEO, PHOTOS

An opening round win over the Central West Wranglers got Jason Ryan’s men on their way and the campaign came to a victorious close on Sunday evening when the Outlaws defeated the Northern Rivers Rock in the final under lights at Australia’s home of cricket, the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Here’s how the Outlaws’ season unfolded.

Even before the season proper began, hopes were high following the announcement of a powerful Orana squad for the second edition of the Plan B Regional Bash, with Nathan Pilon taking over the captaincy and Ben Patterson joining him as a marquee player.

ORANA OUTLAWS v CENTRAL WEST WRANGLERS

No. 1 Oval, Dubbo. October 16

The season began with an emphatic win over local rivals, the Central West Wranglers.

Despite the Wranglers beginning well, man of the match Wes Giddings (3/15 and 27) led the Outlaws to a convincing seven wicket victory.

Speaking after the match, Giddings was delighted to play such a key role for his side, while vanquished Central West captain Jameel Qureshi backed the Outlaws to go all the way.

SOUTH COAST CREW v ORANA OUTLAWS

Bradman Oval, Bowral. November 6

The second round clash with the South Coast Crew was a match the Outlaws seemed destined to lose until Mat Skinner and Marty Jeffrey combined in a crucial partnership which sealed a two wicket win.

Skinner was named man of the match after taking 2/16 with the ball and scoring 31 not out, and even he admitted he was shocked to feature so heavily for the Outlaws.

In the lead up to the finals day at the Sydney Cricket Ground, coach Jason Ryan was kept busy as injury and availability concerns and the make-up of his side anything but certain.

But the players were confident and the Outlaws’ development was typified by Giddings and Jeffrey, who had grown into key players for the side.

ORANA OUTLAWS v WAGGA WAGGA SLOGGERS

Sydney Cricket Ground, December 11

The Outlaws returned to the SCG after being beaten in the semi-finals in the inaugural edition of the Plan B Regional Bash.

This time the Wagga Wagga Sloggers were the opponents and a brilliant 128 run partnership between Jordan Moran and captain Nathan Pilon set the Outlaws up for a clinical 28 run win.

ORANA OUTLAWS v NORTHERN RIVERS ROCK

Sydney Cricket Ground, December 11

The Orana Outlaws met the men from the north coast in the final of Country Cricket’s NSW premier Twenty20 competition.

It was far from easy for the Outlaws, who had to deal with some excellent Northern Rivers bowling and also some light rain shortly after taking to the field.

But despite that, the boys from out west played the better cricket when it mattered and scored a thrilling 13 run win.

Mitch Bower was named man of the match in the decider after belting a brutal 51 from 21 balls late on and he said a patient approach was crucial at such an important time in the game.

Captain Pilon was also delighted after the win, and while he played a key role throughout the campaign, he was adamant the title win was a team effort and said the mateship within the side was one of the big reason’s behind Orana’s success.

The Plan B Regional Bash win was the second major Country Cricket NSW title to be won by a side representing the Western Zone, leading officials to state the local area is leading the way when it comes to cricket in regional areas.