Woodend was left reeling by a late order batting collapse which cost them a Gisborne and District McIntyre Cup premiership.
In an incredible day of cricket, Bacchus Marsh pulled one out of the hat to secure the trophy, an undefeated season and leave Woodend shattered.
The match started with a whimper, with day one abandoned without a ball being bowled because the ground was under water.
Day two was much brighter and Bacchus Marsh won the toss and elected to bat.
It looked like the wrong decision as the Bulls, which entered the grand final undefeated, were bowled out for just 115.
Woodend coach Michael Nalesnyik was thrilled with the bowling despite Peter Manser doing his hamstring in his eighth over.
“It was outstanding to bowl them out for 115,” Nalesnyik said.
“Greg [Matthews] bowled the best I’ve seen him bowl in my two years at the club.
“It was a great effort by everyone else to pick up the slack with Pete injured.”
Matthews took 5-29, and Warren Else took 3-50 after bowling all 25 overs from one end of the ground.
It was a slow start with the bat for Woodend.
Woodend was in control at 3-56 and at 3-80 the game looked all but over.
But then things started to go wrong.
Woodend quickly crumbled and lost its last seven wickets for 14 runs to be all out for 94.
Nalesnyik said it was a disappointing end to the game.
“At 3-80 we were looking in the box seat and in the end we just weren’t good enough.
“We were outclassed by Eka [Madushanka Ekanayaka] who took four wickets and won man of the match.
“He was too good for us. We were disappointing with the bat.”
Manser top scored with 33 for Woodend.
The result ends what had been a good season for Woodend as they made their first grand final since the 2011-12 season.
Nalesnyik said there were some positive signs out of the season.
“It’s our first grand final in six-seven years, so in that sense, it’s great to get there in the first place.
“We overcame Riddell in the semi-final and they were favourites.
“But to get so close it hurts. Hopefully everyone stays around and we can go one better next year.”
It was a tough day for Woodend’s C-grade side which also suffered grand final heartache.
Woodend was bowled out for just 57 by Sunbury United, in another disappointing performance with the bat.
United finished 5-59 to claim the premiership and provide some celebrations in what was a tough year for the club.
