teammates Ricky Mannix, Nic Balic and Heath Behrens. THE players who broke Bendigo United Cricket Club’s first XI premiership drought of more than 60 years will reunite once again at this month’s reunion.BUCCs victory in the 1999-2000 grand final against Bendigo was the start of a remarkable run which included another three grand final triumphs.Captain-coach of 10 years ago, Chris Pinniger teamed up with Nic Balic, Heath Behrens and Ricky Mannix to play in four grand final victories with Bendigo United’s first XI.Pinniger said all grand final wins held special memories, but the first was the most memorable.The players will reminisce about the victory at The Boardwalk Restaurant on February 27.“It was an incredible performance,” Pinniger said of the win by a team which had an average age of 21.Pinniger did confess there were doubts after the first day of the decider against Bendigo.Bendigo United had been dismissed for 189, with an unbeaten 96 by Evan Behrens the highlight.The Behrens brothers, Evan and Heath, 47 runs, teamed for a 93-run stand.After his right hand was broken when struck by a Marcus McKern delivery on 16 runs, Evan Behrens kept on fighting to add another 80 in what would be a match-winning innings.A young attack led by Balic and Mannix kept the heat on.Luke Polglase captured 3-41 off 21 overs, Balic and Mannix took two wickets apiece, and wicketkeeper Jim Cail took five catches as Bendigo was dismissed for 147.Mannix and Cail combined to take the last wicket and wild celebrations soon began.“I remember it being such an emotional time,” Balic said of the minutes after clinching victory.“In many ways we were young blokes having a go, and so was Bendigo.“There are so many highs and lows through a game - a wicket, a dropped catch.“Watching teammates, supporters and many former players after the game, I knew just how much it meant.”Heath Behrens has led Bendigo United to back-to-back premierships and won a Cricketer of the Year award.The first grand final appearance for Heath Behrens was defeat to Strathdale-Maristians in 1994-95.“As the years go on you realise just how difficult it is to win a premiership.“You never take a grand final for granted.”An opening batsman and bowler a decade ago, Ricky Mannix struck an unbeaten 112 as BUCC reached 3-197 off 29 overs in the second innings of the final round clash with North Bendigo.The bonus points lifted the team to top of the ladder.A week later and BUCC was 2-71 in reply to Strathdale-Maristians score of 5-277 in what became a washed out semi-final.The historic run for BUCC was capped by the premiership.