"It's a shame that the rain has come in the final but it's great that we've managed to come through in the tournament and play the first four games up to this stage," said Thompson who only returned from playing for Stroud CC in the Western of England Premier League where he broadened his horizon on different conditions.
The 21-year-old said the groundsmen had delivered with aplomb and the game was shortened but the weather was among the uncontrollables.
"The umpires as well because some of them have travelled from all over North Island to be here."
It was CHB's first bragging rights and only the second time they made it to the T20 tourney final.
"The boys are delighted and it's a good way to start the season," he said, stressing grass-wicket cricket wouldn't be happening in many parts of the country so early in spring.
Thompson said the pleasing thing for CHB was players building partnerships at crucial times with myriad batsmen taking ownership to reflect a depth not that apparent in previous summers.
"With the ball it's just staying in it, you know, because twenty20 is a short game so it's not over until the 20th over and bowling to your field," he said, mindful in previous seasons CHB tended to fold over but at the weekend a sense of resilience prevailed.
The Daniel Drepaul-coached CHB beat Horowhenua-Kapiti Bears by 29 runs in their semifinal in the morning after the latter snuck into the playoffs on account of a net run rate format with just one win as three teams each from pools C and D played each other in crossover matches on Saturday.
Grafton CC, of Auckland, were the hard-luck story after winning all three games but missing the cut although Findlay had emphasised all teams were aware of the NRR format to treat every team fairly.
CHB had posted 174-7 in 20 overs but Horowhenua-Kapiti fell shy with 145-9.
"I think they were always in with a chase by going into the last two overs and only needing 35 [runs] so in T20 it can change in a couple of balls," said Thompson, clarifying that their win looked comfortable but it wasn't. He gave kudos to Charlie Robson and South African import spinner GC Pretorius for stifling Horowhenua-Kapiti batsmen.
Fletcher said Malcolm Nofal was Onslow's only contracted Wellington Firebirds player.
Both teams relished winning $750 worth of sponsors' vouchers to help buy new gear for their clubs.
"Our bowlers really led the charge and allowed us to chase scores that weren't ungettable so that was good fun," said the 24-year-old opening batsman.
Fletcher lamented losing all five tosses and bowling first to lend credence to the myth that Big Mo favours the side who win them and bat first.
In many respects NTOB and Onslow had played their final in the morning when the latter snuck home by a wicket in the semifinal in light of the weather forecast which stuck to its script.
The hosts posted 100 all out before the Wellingtonians eked out 101-9.
NTOB coach Dale Smidt and his red brigade would have rued not batting out their 20 allotted overs after they were skittled in 16.5 overs and Onslow got home with three balls to spare.
"They had some very good bowlers who kept taking a couple of wickets at crucial times but we came through in the end," Fletcher said.
Onslow, he said, performed their basics well this season and had a good pre-season coming up here.
Fletcher said Onslow batsmen, akin to bowlers, backed themselves but also lauded their coaches.
