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Edinburgh Castle Rockers Crowned First-Ever ETPL Champions After Seven-Wicket Final Win

History was made at Malahide as Edinburgh Castle Rockers were crowned the first-ever champions of the ETPL, defeating Belfast Wolves by seven wickets in a final worthy of the occasion. Andries Gous stood at the heart of the triumph, guiding Edinburgh home with an unbeaten 90 as the Castle Rockers chased down 151 with eight balls to spare. Edinburgh won the toss and captain Mitchell Santner elected to bowl, backing his attack to restrict the Wolves before pursuing the target. The decision brought early reward when Trent Boult dismissed Paul Stirling for eight, caught by Jack Jarvis, leaving Belfast needing to rebuild. Tim Tector took up that responsibility with authority. The Belfast batter played a composed, determined innings, scoring 84 from 62 balls, with nine fours and two sixes. He kept the scoreboard moving while wickets fell around him, providing the backbone of the Wolves total and testing Edinburghs bowlers throughout the innings. Devon Conway contributed 29 from 24 balls, sharing a partnership with Tector that helped Belfast recover from Stirlings early departure. But JJ Smuts broke the stand by dismissing Conway, caught by Gareth Delany. Mark Watt then removed Glenn Maxwell for three, and Boult returned to dismiss Lorcan Tucker for six, leaving Belfast under pressure at 105 for four. Tector continued to fight, with Harry Manenti adding an unbeaten 16 from 14 deliveries. Tom Curran claimed Tectors wicket from the final ball of the innings, as Belfast finished on 150 for five. Boults two wickets and economical four-over spell helped keep the total within reach, while Watt and Smuts also made important breakthroughs. Edinburghs reply began with intent. Ross Adair struck 23 from 14 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before Mark Adair had him caught behind by Tucker. Smuts made 15, but Matthew Humphreys removed him at the end of the tenth over, leaving Edinburgh at 79 for two. Gous, however, remained in control. His unbeaten 90 came from 61 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes. He balanced patience with timely aggression, anchoring the chase as Brandon McMullen added 17 from 12 balls. McMullen was caught and bowled by Gavin Hoey, but the target was close enough for Edinburghs captain to finish the job. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Mitchell Santner joined Gous and remained unbeaten as Edinburgh reached 151 for three in 18.4 overs. Gous assured innings proved the defining answer to Tectors challenge, carrying the Rockers across the line and into ETPL history.