That was how Wauchope RSL captain Matt Miller reflected on his team's narrow three-wicket loss to Taree United at Chatham Park on Saturday.

An unbeaten 39-run eighth-wicket stand between Taree veterans Josh Ferris (20) and Danial Stone (19) steered their side to a tense Mid North Coast Premier Cricket League grand final victory.

"Ultimately we just didn't get enough runs because conditions were good and it was very surprising that it was such a low scoring game," Miller said.

RSL had earlier struggled to a mediocre 109 all out, but when United slumped to 7-71 it was a case of game on.

"We have a strong bowling attack so I knew we were going to make it tough for them," Miller said.

"They played some surprising shots considering the situation of the game which could have cost them."

Ferris and Stone showed all their experience to score the necessary runs, with United claiming the premiership in the 38th over.

"Their experience at the end of the game got them over the line," Miller said.

Wauchope's cause wasn't helped when they grassed a handful of chances, but ultimately they didn't bat well enough.

Ferris faced 35 balls and hit one boundary while Stone faced 39 deliveries and hit two boundaries as United captain Ricky Campbell inched towards the end of his seat in the pavilion.

"I was getting a bit nervous,'' he admitted.

"But luckily we had two experienced players to get us home.''

Earlier, Miller called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat. Campbell said he would have done the same thing and said there was nothing wrong with the wicket, even though the scores were low.

"You just had to get yourself in,'' he said.

Sam Whitbread struck early for United, snaring the prize wicket of Nathan Lyon for one.

Justin Boyd then bowled the dangerous Aaron Hagenbach for a duck to leave Wauchope 2/17. The wickets continued to tumble with opener Robbie Parker the mainstay, making 34 from 58 balls.

United's fielding was exceptional, with Ferris producing a spectacular effort to catch Parker just when it looked as though he could go on and play a match defining innings.

"Our fielding has been good all year,'' Campbell said.

"And we continued that in the grand final.''

Whitbread finished with 2/17 for United, Murray McCartney 2/3 from three overs, Dean Mills 2/15, Stone 2/18 and Tom Burley 2/27.

United openers Matt Collier and Zac Sheather looked as though they'd score all the runs themselves when they put on 35 before Sheather was run out for 12.

But the match changed dramatically from there, with United crashing to be 7/71. Collier made 20 as did Campbell.

Bailey Smith ripped through the middle order, before Ferris and Stone joined forces. Smith finished with 4/16.

Ironically Wauchope had the game's top run scorer with Parker and the most successful bowler with Smith.

Campbell expects the nucleus of the United side to stay together next year.

"I know a few of the older fellas want to drop down to second grade,'' he said.

"So we'll have to look for a few younger blokes to take their place.''

He said Whitbread, who lives at Forster and wicket keeper Ryan Yates from Gloucester have indicated they'll return next summer.

"It's always tough to go back-to-back,'' Campbell said.

"But we'll be doing our best.''

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