West Gambier avenged its semi-final defeat to North Sportsman’s by outgunning the reigning premier behind enemy lines thanks to a special performance by one of its most talented youngsters.

After being left stranded seven runs short of the milestone last summer, Connor Prior broke through to score his maiden seniors century to help the Roos skip across the line at Marist Park.

On the opening day the Tigers were restricted to 178, but got themselves back in the game by removing Justin DeJong at the stroke of stumps.

North’s momentum kept building when Declan Kenny removed Jack Geddes early doors on the second afternoon, but his wicket brought Prior to the crease.

The number 4 was busy from the get-go and slowly pulled West out of the sticky situation with Alex Hill.

As the scoreboard ticked over 50, Hill was tapped lbw for 24 by North captain Nick McInerney.

The fall of Hill brought Jake Blackwell to the crease and he looked just as comfortable alongside Prior.

The duo punished anything short of a length and scored 35 runs in just 8.5 overs.

However, just when they looked set to bat West to safety, disaster struck.

Blackwell punched an Isaac Mulraney delivery to cover and set off for a single, but was sent back by Prior.

Unfortunately for the keeper-batter, Mitch Lewis had already knocked off the bails before he could return to safety.

The mix-up meant Blackwell had to keep walking back to the sheds for 15, while Prior slumped to his knees and pondered what went wrong.

After Sam Willis and Bray Stephenson also fell cheaply, the Tigers smelt blood with the Roos needing 30 runs to win with four wickets in hand. But West captain Richard Crute was determined to save the day for his team and give Prior the support he craved.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, both batters kept their heads and waited for balls in their half to attack.

Despite Young and McInerney giving it everything, they could not stop Prior and Crute from nudging their way to the finish line.

Crute scored the winning runs with a fine boundary off McInerney and the skipper decided to have some fun with the game sealed and 14.5 overs left in the day.

Both set batters picked up the tempo and Crute targeted the bowling of Kayne Badman smashing 23 runs off a single over.

After compiling 63 off 61 Crute’s knock was cut short when the seventh wicket stand sat on the much-feared figure of 87.

All eyes turned to Prior and whether he could reach triple figures.

But he remained calm in the nineties to make sure he raised the bat and celebrated the special moment.

The centurion was the third and final wicket to fall in five balls in a dramatic conclusion to West’s 255.

Crute said the most impressive aspect was how he navigated the 77-over day.

“Just the way he built and structured the innings stood out,” he said.

“It was the innings of a veteran because he was very controlled and did not give a chance until he was dismissed.

“The team batted fantastically because we did not lose a big clump of wickets, so hopefully the win sets us up for the rest of the season.”