They say good things come to those who wait.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
100 years is a mighty long time to wait, but for the Sedgwick Cricket Club the wait was worth it.
On Sunday evening just before 6pm at Malone Park in Marong, Sedgwick tailender Peter Moore guided the ball to third man and the resulting four runs saw the Rams defeat arch-rival Spring Gully by two wickets.
Jubilant players and supporters spilled on to the field to celebrate the Rams' first division one premiership in the club's 100th year.
"The club deserves this more than anything,'' Sedgwick skipper Rick Ladson said.
"We play for our supporters and those old players who missed out for so long.
"To finally get this win... they can't talk about the hoodoo anymore."
It took a mighty effort to put the hoodoo to bed.
Spring Gully did its best to deny the Rams for a second-straight year.
On Saturday, a 76-run stand for the eighth wicket between skipper Alex Sutton and Saheed Akolade lifted Spring Gully from a precarious 7-163.
Sutton (72 off 79 balls) and Akolade (36 off 29 balls) scored 62 off the final seven overs to lift the Crows to 9-250 off their 75 overs.
In reply, Sedgwick looked well-placed to take the title before a middle-order collapse turned the game.
Daniel Chamberlain (47 off 105 balls) and Greg Thomas (40 off 123 balls) laid the foundation with an opening stand of 82.
Number three Andrew Sheehan took control of the match with some fine batting and at 2-142 the Rams were on track to cruise to victory.
However, three quick wickets swung the game back in Spring Gully's favour.
At 5-157 Sedgwick needed a steadying partnership and Sheehan and Jordan Ilsley provided it.
They mixed solid techniques with some big hitting to lift the Rams to 5-207 in the 65th over.
Sheehan tried to late cut a ball that was too close to his body and was bowled by James Fox for 65 off 78 balls.
His departure sparked another collapse.
Veteran Scott McKenzie edged an Akolade delivery to the keeper and was out for four.
The very next ball new batsman Justin Hancock hit the ball to point and was called through for a run.
Fox picked up the ball at point and threw to the non-striker's end and his direct hit left Hancock run out for a golden duck.
From 5-207 the Rams had fallen to 8-214 and it appeared the Sedgwick curse had kicked in again.
The experienced Peter Moore joined Ilsley at the crease.
Despite a couple of nervous moments (a French cut and an edge passed the keeper), Moore and Ilsley didn't panic.
With 19 balls remaining the Rams needed 17 runs and then Moore crunched the final ball of the 71st over through cover for four to ease the tension for Sedgwick.
Ilsley scored a single off the first ball of the 72nd over before Moore played out two dot balls to leave the equation 12 runs off 15 balls.
Three balls later the Rams were premiers.
Moore cut a short ball from Fox for six over point, hit the next delivery through point for four before guiding the next ball to the third man boundary.
Ilsley finished unbeaten on 41, while Moore made 29 not out off 26 balls.
After a 100-year wait, the Rams were premiers by two wickets, with two overs up their sleeve.
The biggest cheer was for "Cackles" McKenzie, who started his career with the Rams in 1984.
"He's a genuine person and a great person,'' Ladson said of McKenzie.
"We didn't talk about "winning a flag for Cackles", but I can tell you it's bloody great to win one with him."
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
