Tara Murray
Gellibrand president Mark Keating thought it was going to be a case of deja vu in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 4 on Saturday.
Having made the semi finals four of the last five seasons, Gellibrand had been unable to break through for a grand final spot.
Deep into the side’s semi final against St Andrews on Saturday, it seemed that they would again miss out on the biggest match of the season.
“I thought here we go again,” Keating said. “We always play well during the normal season, but finals are a different game.
“They had their noses well and truly in front and I admitted to a few people that I didn’t think we had enough runs on the board.”
Gellibrand had made 9-142 from their overs. Callum Doyle top scored with 29. Akila Isanka top five wickets for St Andrews.
At 4-115, St Andrews looked in control on the way to a grand final spot and the hearts of Gellibrand spectators were sinking.
But then the game quickly turned.
“We managed to get a run out,” said Keating.
“Then they lost a couple more wickets and ended up losing 6-16. We were able to hang in there and it went our way in the finish.
“We scrapped for the win, which is what you have to do in the finals.”
St Andrews was bowled out for 131. Ben Toyne took four wickets for Gellibrand.
The best of three grand final series, will be Gellibrand’s first XI’s first grand final since the 2005-06 season when the side still played in the Williamstown and District Cricket Association.
The first XI’s last premiership was in the 2001-2002 season.
The side will play Caroline Springs in the grand final series, with all three matches to be at home.
Keating said they were looking forward to the challenge.
“We’ve beaten them twice during the season, but finals are a different game,” he said.
“We need to put our best foot forward and hang in there. It’s important to win the first game.”
The second XI side is also through to the grand final and will play Maribyrnong Park St Marys.
On Sunday, the club won its first women’s premiership.
Gellibrand 2 claimed the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association division 2 title.
Both Gellibrand teams were in the same division this season.
Keating said they had tried to make the teams as even as possible, with the competition naming the two teams. It’s the club’s third season of having a women’s side.
“We played off against each other in the semi final,” he said. “We tried to make them as equal as possible and it just turned out that team two was the stronger team.
“Team two beat Flemington in the grand final. We made 6-152 and then they only made 4-144.”
Keating said the group was pretty excited after the win, with a special celebration included in the after game festivities.
“One of the girls Kat Belcher said that if we won the grand final she would play the bagpipes and she did that.”
