The decider was extended into a  third day with last Sunday’s   second day washout but Balgownie held their nerve resuming at 1-64 chasing 128, to post a convincing victory.

  Balgownie medium-pacer Jason Bunyan took the first day honours with 5-17 and Illawarra batsman Adam Berwick took charge in the run chase. top-scoring with 62.

  Balgownie claimed their third premiership in eight season with players shaking hands at lunch, with Bally 6-179. 

The Magpies were unbeaten all last season before suffering a shock loss to University in the semi-finals.

 This campaign they were beaten by only twice - by minor premiers Helensburgh and Corrimal - and scored 500 more runs than any other club.

   ‘‘We’ve had two very strong seasons and to back up from the disappointment of last season and go all the way is special,’’ said Balgownie skipper Corbin Brown, who at age 20 became one of Illawarra cricket’s youngest-ever premiership skippers.

 ‘‘This season we didn’t have just 11 guys there were 14 or 15 guys who played a lot of games.

‘‘We had a  squad which changed a lot but we got the same solid performance each week.

‘‘Our depth has been great and is a big part of why we have been able to win the title.’’

 The triumph is special for Illawarra cricket stalwart Dean Merola, who was tipped to retire after more than 20 years in first grade.

  Meanwhile,  Corrimal have been Illawarra cricket’s big improvers after not having a first grade side when Balgownie last win the title in 2011-12.

  Rob Fisher scored a century in that Balgownie triumph and just a few months later the Corrimal junior returned home to  lead  the rebuilding process.

 Three seasons on, the Cougars finished the 2014-15 season in second spot -  just a point behind Helensburgh -  won their first Twenty20 crown and had first grade, third grade and fourths in the premiership final.

‘‘Win or lose it doesn’t change what a great achievement this season has been,’’ Fisher said.

  ‘‘Three years ago we started the club again from the ground up. Now I regard a few of my players as like my boys. 

‘‘I’ve seen them come into first grade at 16, 17 or 18[-year-olds and play their first season in the top grade, get their first job and grow into men.

‘‘It’s been an amazing privilege to be involved in this group.’’