When it went into the A-grade finals of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s 1985-86 season, Macedon wasn’t meant to come out as a winner.
Having finished in the lower half of the top four in what was then called top grade, Macedon had to beat Romsey to even make the grand final.
While it bowled its opponent out for not much, Macedon struggled to get its own runs, just managing to sneak through to the grand final.
There it faced Bacchus Marsh and the challenge of trying to break a 19-year premiership drought.
Then vice-captain, now-playing club secretary, John Ewels recalls that the grand final was also a low-scoring match. “We were the underdogs, having finished third or fourth, and all the other teams in the finals had big-name players.
“We batted first against Bacchus Marsh and didn’t get a lot of runs. But we did have runs on the board, and they had to chase them.
“Bowling was our strength. Captain Kinnear Beatson took five wickets late on day two of the match to give us the game.”
The premiership, now 30 years ago, is still the most recent for the club in the competition’s top grade.
Macedon has won premierships in lower divisions, but this one remains the most recent in what’s now known at the McIntyre Cup.
The 1985-86 season wasn’t all highs for the club, though.
President John Clifford dying during a match. “He had a heart attack while playing for the thirds, and it was big shock to everyone,” Ewels said. “Everyone at the association knew him; he was a bit of a legend.
“His death was a big motivation for us to win the flag. We spent a lot of time at his grave the night of winning the premiership.”
Every member of the premiership side will be at the club on Saturday for a reunion. They will watch the club’s second XI play then go out for dinner. “We’ve managed to contact them all and it was the only date we could get everyone here,” Ewels said.
“Kinnear, Chris Climas and Graeme Dodkins have worked really hard to organise the day … I’m looking forward to a few tales on the night.”
