Paceman Jono Hickey held his nerve in the final over bowling two dot-ball with his final two deliveries to deny Thornton victory chasing the Warriors’ 4/129.

Cameron Bates ensured Thornton needed 10 runs to win off their final over conceding just four runs off the second-last over.

A frustrated Dylan Robertson was unable to get away the winning runs after putting his team firmly back into contention with 53 not out including 10 runs off man-of-the-match Tim Harding’s final over to bring the equation back to 14 runs off two overs.

Robertson clobbered a six and almost snuck a four with an audacious reverse sweep over the wicketkeeper’s head, but had to be content with two.

Thornton were cruising early when Daniel Willis got them off to a flier scoring 41 of an opening stand of 57 with Ricky Dent.

Warriors spinner Michael Heinrich made the breakthrough and was on a hat-trick after dismissing Jono Gabriel with his next delivery.

Thornton lost 5-13 in the space of five overs, with Alex Seamer grabbing two wickets and Thornton skipper Jake Moore run out trying to force a second run to the deep.

When Matthew Gabriel (14) was judged lbw off the bowling of Harding, the score was 6/97 and Thornton needed 33 runs off four overs for victory.

Earlier, a quick-fire 42 by Tim Harding had enabled Kurri Weston to finish their 20 overs on 4/129.

Harding and Justin Kavanagh (27) were unbeaten after adding 74 runs in just under 10 overs.

Opener Josh Tuckwell got the Warriors off to a rapid start with his 23 including three sixes and a four.

Kurri Weston’s Twenty20 skipper Simon Marshall said it was terrific final and great to see two young teams battling it out for the title.

Marshall paid tribute to his entire team for their fighting spirit to peg back Thornton grabbing important wickets when they looked like they were gaining control.

Harding said it had been a great game and full credit went to both teams for playing in the right spirit.

Thornton skipper Jake Moore said he was extremely proud of his young team and believed his team was maturing and showing the benefits of hard work during a tough year.

Kurri Weston’s title victory followed a comprehensive win against reigning Hunter Valley Cup champions Western Suburbs, who had been chasing a third Twenty20 title in a row after winning the Maitland Twenty20 competition in 2015.

Kurri Weston batted first and were dismissed for 123. 

Josh Tuckwell 18, Casey Capper 21, Jack Bennet 22 and Marshall 27 were the best with the bat.

Wests Luke Kealy finished with 3-15 and a run out. 

Brett Taylor top scored with 24 for the Plovers as they were dismissed for 79.  Tim Harding 4-13 and Alex Seamer 3-26 had the best figures for the Warriors.

Thornton advanced to the final after passing City United’s total of 131 with six wickets down and more than an over to spare.