There was no repeat of last year as Deer Park claimed the Victorian Turf Cricket Association group A T20 premiership.
The Lions were made to work for the title, with the match against the Williamstown Imperials going down to the wire.
Both sides had their periods of dominance, with the Imperials on top for much of the run chase.
But boundaries became harder to find and with the light diminishing, it came down to the final over.
The Imperials needed 14 runs off the final over for victory.
Upul Bandara took on the duty of bowling the final over for the Lions.
He bowled the over perfectly as just one run and a wicket came from it.
The Imperials finished 7-137 in reply to 8-149.
Lions coach Mick Andriadis said last year’s game when they lost on the final ball did cross his mind at times on Thursday night.
He said the Imperials had done a good job with the night and it was a real party atmosphere.
“It was a good atmosphere and there was a big advantage batting first with the daylight and not having to bat under lights,” he said.
“I think we had the same number of runs to defend on the final over as last year.
“We just got a better result.”
Earlier in the night, the Lions looked in trouble in their run chase as they were 6-74.
The Imperials, who play in a competition two divisions lower, had bowled tightly.
The Lions were able to find some late runs to push the total to 149.
Daniel Sartori top scored with 35 for the Lions.
Kendrick Hatton was the pick of the bowlers for the Imperials, taking 3-19 off his four overs.
Andriadis said the Imperials had bowled really well and they had struggled through their innings.
He said they would have liked to have had 170 on the board, knowing that the Imperials had some good batting in their line up.
The Imperials had a good partnership early on with Callum Herron and Josh van Zyl putting the side in a good place.
Once Herron was out for 40 it seemed like van Zyl would be the man for the Imperials.
He was run out for 33 as he looked to turn over the strike.
Andriadis said they had two of their strike bowlers left to bowl four of the last five overs.
They needed to find one over from elsewhere, with Bandara the man given the responsibility.
“It was a good call from the captain to bring Upul back,” Andriadis said.
“He bowled full and yorkers and it was a good final over.”
The quest for success doesn’t end here for the Lions, who are aiming for a third straight senior division premiership.
The Lions were due to face Keilor on Saturday in the final round of the season, with top spot on the line.
“It’s the perfect set up heading into finals,” Andriadis said.
“It’s an easy equation, win and finish top, lose and finish second.”
