Diggers dig in for memorable victory

A Grade, Division 1

IT WAS a fairytale ending for OMK, coming back from fourth on the ladder to win the A1 2024/25 premiership.

The Diggers were up against it when it took on the giants of the season Nerrena in the first semi-final, but they rose to the challenge and brought the same energy to the final match-up with Phillip Island.

Phillip Island had finished its season third on the ladder and had also caused a semi-final upset when it defeated Wonthaggi Club.

The two teams left standing met at Wonthaggi’s Butch West Oval.

OMK won the toss and made the exceptional decision to bowl first.

It was clear from the word go that the OMK bowlers were in form and ready to take down the Sharks, as the opening partnership of Lachlan Cleeland and Kurt Lane were dismissed for a duck and three runs respectively.

However, first drop batsman Brodie Johnston wasn’t about to lie down and let OMK have the premiership that easily.

Johnston stood his ground and made 83 runs before he was caught by Noel Creed off the bowling of Thomas Wyatt.

Captain Daniel Mock added 25 runs to the tally.

OMK’s bowlers persisted and continued to run through the batting order.

The bowling honours went to Travis Pickering, who claimed 4/34.

Peter Dell and Wyatt took three wickets each.

Timothy Niven finished Phillip Island’s innings with 37 runs.

OMK bowled out Phillip Island and was tasked with chasing 10/171.

For OMK, Clayton Quaife and Zavier Lamers opened the account.

Zavier Lamers was bowled  for five runs, but Ethan Lamers stepped up to the crease and he and Quaife made 23 and 47 runs respectively.

Captain Koby Brann was the batsman to make all the difference for the Diggers.

Brann went into bat fourth and was there to stay, proving unmovable and making 70 not out.

These were the runs OMK needed to hold on to the victory, as Phillip Island demolished the second off the batting order.

The final two hours were all or nothing, just when it looked to be over for OMK they bounced back, but it was neck and neck as Nick Auddino stepped into the crease; he had one job, stay in for 13 runs. 

There is no doubt the final two overs were a thriller for the strong crowd. 

One six down and one more to go, Brann split it, with two runs before a final four landed the win.

Phillip Island’s best bowler was Zac Brown, who took 4/62.

Max Royal took two wickets and singles were claimed by Timothy and Thomas Niven.

After 70 overs, OMK had earned its victory with a score of 9/175.

In accepting the 2025 Premiership Cup, Brann thanked Phillip Island for putting up a challenge, the OMK team and umpires. 

Brann’s stunning batting streak changed the best player honours in the last half an hour of the final according to umpires Ashleigh Stride and Shane Moore, with the captain awarded the man of the match.