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Heathcote claimed its first premiership in 30 years when it won the Northern United Cricket Association grand final on Saturday, hanging on to defeat Dingee by six runs at Bagshot Reserve.

Dingee won the toss and sent Heathcote in to bat, but the decision seemed a regrettable one early when David Farley and Ben Harris put on 44 runs for the first wicket.

The opening pair seemed in control until Dingee bowler Sam Barnes made the breakthrough.

Barnes snared the wicket of Harris (20) before trapping Luke Bell lbw for a duck.

Ben Govett (1/42) got in on the action when he claimed Farley’s (23) wicket and Barnes (3/35) snared one more as Heathcote suddenly stumbled to 4/46.

Captain Joel Condon came to the crease with Dingee on a high, but the number six combined with Brenton Conforti (70) for a 110-run partnership before Condon (60) was caught.

With the Saints at 5/156, the likes of Conforti, Dion Meerman (16) and Tom Tobin (7 not out) were able to swing the bat as the side posted a sizeable 7/211 from 40 overs.

Dingee’s reply started hesitantly when openers Scott Lawry (4) and Dale Anderson (9) were dismissed by Pat Ring (2/29) and the side was 2/23.

Govett and the dangerous Kyle Patten managed a 36-run partnership before Govett (21) became Luke Bell’s sole wicket of the afternoon.

From there, Patten (92) and Rod Ellis (32) almost matched the previous partnership in Heathcote’s innings with a 107-run stand.

Ben Harris broke the deadlock when he and Corey Gilmore combined to dismiss Patten.

Dingee pushed to be 4/187 needing 25 runs for victory, but a bowling masterclass by Conforti and Harris turned the game on its head.

Conforti had Barnes out for 12, followed by Brett Homes for a duck one run later.

Harris then struck to have Darren Lawry (0) out caught and bowled, only for Conforti (3/42) to strike once more and the pair had taken 5/4.

Dingee was shell-shocked on 9/191, but a last-wicket partnership between Rhett Camfield and Anthony Lawry almost caused another remarkable chapter in the match.

The pair put on 14 runs until Harris (4/26) sealed the victory for the Saints when he dismissed Camfield (1) lbw and the premiership was won in the 39th over.

The cries for the lbw appeal soon turned into jubilation and the Heathcote fans cheered just as emphatically from behind the fence.

It was a fitting finish to the season for the minor premier, especially after spending the past two seasons in recess.