Royals recruit repays the faith after match-winning four-wicket grand final haul

Seamer David Brown repaid the faith after he was recruited by Royals in the off-season, earning man-of-the-match honours in the Lions’ memorable grand final victory on Saturday. Brown, who struggled for opportunities at his former club Railways, playing just four A-grade games, made the switch to the Lions this season and has been a terrific contributor with the ball. In the biggest game of the season, Brown finished with 4-16 off 6.4 overs, including the prize wicket of the competition’s best player, Nathan Crudeli. As his side tried to defend 180, Brown was the destroyer at the top of the order taking the first three wickets of the Bulls’ innings to dismiss Alex Fergie, Nathan Crosby and Crudeli. He returned to claim the final wicket of the match, sparking wild celebrations from his new club. “It’s pretty special to earn man-of-the-match honours, to spend all those years bashing your a.. playing B-grade and the likes of Mitch Green and a few others behind the scenes that have got me in and backed me to do a role, it’s special to repay them,” Brown said. “To get the first three wickets is pretty special, you dream about it but to actually see it happening is rare. “The last one was pretty good except when 20 blokes decided to jump on me. “I’m definitely glad I moved, I have nothing against Railways, they are a good club but at the time when I made the decision to move they just didn’t have a spot for me just then.” Brown played every game this season and finished the regular season with 24 wickets before claiming five in the finals series. Lions captain Green said Brown deserved the honour. “So pleased for Tractor (David Brown), he’s a guy that puts his heart and soul into everything,” Green said. “He’s a great clubman, we don’t really recruit the player we recruit the person and Tractor is that man.” “For him to get man of the match is pretty special and I know he will treasure that one.”