By Tara Murray
It was a case of déjà vu for Gellibrand as it sealed premiership success against Moonee Valley in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association.
After beating Moonee Valley in the Evans-Clark Shield grand final last season, the two teams managed to win through to the Roy Picone Shield grand final this season.
It would be the same result with Gellibrand winning another hard fought grand final and securing the premiership.
Gellibrand coach James Ryan said a couple of weeks ago that they had exceeded their expectations this season.
A premiership was the icing on the cake.
“It’s very special, it was a special day for the club,” he said. “It’s the first time in the club’s history that it has gone back-to-back in the first XI.
“It’s pretty hard to achieve.”
Moonee Valley was bowled out for 157 on day one of the match. With day two postponed due to rain, Gellibrand had to wait nearly a week for the run chase.
Ryan said they thought it was a very chasable total, but the weather during the week had made it a bit of an unknown.
“It was a funny week,” he said. “There had been a bit of rain on Thursday and we knew it would be a tough challenge.
“It was a pretty gettable total and we were confident we could get the runs. It was a gritty win in the end.”
Ryan said it was nervous watching on the sidelines after going out early in the day.
He shouldn’t have worried with skipper Paul Hetherington at the crease. Hetherington finished 37 not out as Gellibrand finished 7-158 to claim the premiership.
Jacob MacDonald top scored with 46.
Hetherington was named player of the match. He was the key to his side winning its semi final too.
The match was also Hetherington’s last as captain after 102 having made the decision to step down. Ryan said he would continue to play on.
“He has had a pretty special finals series,” Ryan said of his captain. “He stepped up and he deserved to be man of the match.”
As well as Hetherington stepping down as captain, Ryan will step down as coach saying with work commitments it was too much.
The pair had let the club know midway through the season that they would step down.
“It’s a good way to go out,” Ryan said. “We’ve left the side in a good place.”
After a number of near misses in division 4, Gellibrand has earned two promotions in as many seasons to be set for division 2 next season.
“It’s funny how quickly it turns,” Ryan said. “There’s been some moments where the guys have now won close games that they previously wouldn’t have.
“It’s some reward for effort.”
