Seabrook was on edge until the very last ball of its drought-breaking Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1 grand final win over Grand United at Crofts Reserve on Sunday.
The Saints clinched their first 1st XI flag in 41 years, but were put through an emotional roller coaster before delivering the knock-out blow on a stubborn United late on the fourth day.
Saints captain Leigh Edwards was already mentally worn out after a gripping opening weekend, but that was further heightened on days three and four when wet weather played havoc on Saturday and a fierce final day’s play on Sunday took a mental and physical toll.
Edwards was just ecstatic to finish on the right side of the equation, winning outright by 11 runs.
“It was won, it was lost, it was won, it was lost and then it was won – somehow we came out on top,” Edwards said.
“That’s been the most mentally and physically draining game I’ve ever played in.
“It was on for every single ball and you didn’t know what the outcome was going to be throughout.
“There were ups and downs for the whole four days.
“It was just unbelievable, the most challenging game I’ve been involved in.”
Seabrook held a 24-run lead after the first innings, but that was merely loose change in a four-day contest.
The Saints needed to back up in their second dig and try to bat Grand United out of the game, but failed to do so.
A stop-start innings saw Seabrook post 117 – a flimsy lead of 141 runs.
Only Jake Collins (26), Walgama Eranga (23) and Andrew Hodgart (26) offered up any kind of resistance in the top order.
It could have been worse for the Saints, a lot worse, had it not been for a stoic 31-run ninth wicket partnership between Casey McNaught (13 off 78) and Hitesh Bavarva (16 off 57).
“When I look back at that partnership, it’s probably the thing that has won us the grand final,” Edwards said.
“Rather than being all out for probably 90, it’s got us over that 140 lead and made it a challenging score.
“If they were only chasing 100, I don’t think we’d be premiers.
Grand United made a promising start to the run chase on an enthralling final day.
United was coasting at 2-73 and seemingly in control, but lost 5-25 in quick time to be 7-98 when the tail arrived at the crease.
United’s hopes rested on the shoulders of middle order young gun Ryan Comensoli, who fought bravely while the wickets fell around him. Comensoli, who made 24 off 70, eventually ran out of support and would be the final wicket to go as United was all out for 130.
Vishva Weerakoon took the premiership clinching wicket of Comensoli, finishing the innings with 4-57 and the match with nine wickets, sealing man of the match honours.
Edwards praised both Weerakoon and the entire Saints bowling unit.
“It was a well deserved award,” Edwards said. “He was just a class above and proved it with nine wickets in a grand final.
“My bowlers all year have done the job for me.
“It’s a five-person attack and it doesn’t matter who I throw the ball to, I know I’m going to get results.”
Edwards was delighted to see the reaction of the older members of Seabrook, who have waited four decades for this moment.
The Saints did it in style, finishing the summer undefeated.
“I’ve got older generations thanking me and the players, so we know how much it means for the club,” Edwards said. “You see what it means to the club when you actually deliver a premiership.”
