South Gambier finished runner up in the Sungold T20 Cup after going down in the final to Tyrendarra in Warrnambool.


After winning its opening match against St Andrews, South Gambier went through to a semi final against Cuty United.


Cuty United batted first scoring a massive 170, but despite requiring a massive run chase South Gambier managed to get the result with two overs remaining.


Robert Drenthen played a match winning performance with the bat scoring 79, Dave Somerfield and Jakob Opie also performed well helping assist in the run chase scoring 23 and 19 respectively.


The Demons faced Tyrendarra in the final with the winner taking a prize of $15,000 and the runner up claiming $5000.


South Gambier hoped to become the second team to win from the Mount Gambier and District Cricket Association alongside West Gambier, which has won the title twice previously.


South Gambier was sent in to bat and had its work cut out for it against a good side, with Stephen Easterbrook getting off to a quick start and scoring early runs.


In the third over Easterbrook smashed back to back sixes, but Tyrendarra got revenge the next ball with Easterbrook caught out for 17 off eight.


Jed Sims followed soon after only managing 12 before he was caught, bringing Dave Somerfield to the crease with Drenthen in what was needing to be a big partnership for South Gambier between two of its most reliable batsmen.


In a big blow for South Gambier the semi final hero Drenthen was bowled for seven, before Hanish Jalota was bowled for a golden duck the following ball.


After 10 overs South Gambier was in need of someone standing up at 4/64.


Somerfield ticked over the scoreboard well but needed support at the other end, Jakob Opie came to the crease and got himself to 11 but was out at the end of the 14th over.


The Demons lost some quick wickets to round out the 20 overs, including Jaggar Geary stumped for a seven ball duck.


Sam Bradbrook could not get going for his six off 11, while Nick Seager batted out the 20 with Somerfield as South Gambier finished 7/108.


Somerfield was the best of the batsmen scoring 49 off 50 including three fours and a six.


It was going to be a tough total to defend for South Gambier and it did not start in the best way with the two Tyrendarra openers batting well.


It was not until the 12th over that South Gambier made the first breakthrough of the innings.


Robert Drenthen took the wicket bowling the Tyrendarra captain for 29, but with Tyrendarra at 1/71 it was going to be a hard way back for South.


Stephen Easterbrook took a wicket and then Jakob Opie provided another breakthrough.


The following over South Gambier struck again with Bryce Whicker taking the wicket of the other opener Withers for 48 and with Tyrendarra at 4/90 there was some slim hope for South Gambier.


Tyrendarra only required 19 runs to win with South Gambier needing six wickets, with four overs left every dot ball was a major win for South.


The Tyrendarra middle order made clinical runs to get their side over the line, the scores tied up at the start of the 19th over and a boundary the very next ball confirmed the win for the Victorians.


Tyrendarra chased down South Gambier’s total with six wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare to take home the Sungold Cup.


As runners up South Gambier took home a prize of $5000.


The side will not be returning next season having missed out on the Big Bash finals for 2023/24, however in the coming weeks North Sportsman’s, East Gambier and Penola will all get an opportunity to win a place in the tournament by claiming the Big Bash grand final.