Diggers Rest experience rare sporting occurrence with drawn cricket and football grand finals in 2016

SPARE a thought for supporters of Diggers Rest when it comes to grand finals.

Diggers Rest celebrates its RDFL grand final. Picture: Josie Hayden.

SPARE a thought for supporters of Diggers Rest.

The Burras have experienced a rare sporting occurrence this year — featuring in drawn cricket and football grand finals.

In March, the Diggers Rest Bulla Cricket Club played out a pulsating tie against Gisborne in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final.

The Dragons were crowned premiers of the GDCA’s top grade after finishing the regular season higher on the ladder than the Burras when both teams compiled 215.

Incredibly, the drawn result was repeated on Riddell District Football League grand final day when the Burras finished deadlocked with Riddell and were forced to extra-time.

Thankfully for the Diggers Rest faithful, the club triumphed 12.14 (86) to 12.8 (80) as Jason Williams’ goal in the second half of extra-time ended three years of heartache on the big stage.

“I couldn’t think of it ever happening before,” Burras football vice president Chris Payne said.

“It’s a very unique situation, especially for a town the size of Diggers Rest.

“The cricket club, to come up to the top grade and do what they did last year and come so close.

Diggers Rest Bulla coach Kevin Barker cuts during the tied GDCA grand final. Picture: Dennis Manktelow.

“Having a tied grand final but being the lower-ranked side, obviously it was a bit unfortunate the way the cricket rules go.

“Obviously with football there’s always going to be a winner.”

Payne, who is also a member of the cricket club, said the two clubs shared a close bond.

“The reason both clubs are that successful is they are a great place to be around and when you’ve got a culture like that it’s going to bring success,” he said.

Burras reserves premiership player Ryan Peters was the only footballer who played in the tied cricket grand final.

“Hopefully the Diggers boys in the cricket can get back up and we’ll be there supporting them right the way through,” Payne said.

Payne said “a lot of people were about to have a heart attack” in the final minutes of Sunday’s RDFL decider, which Diggers Rest thought it had won at the final siren due to a scoreboard error.

HOW THEY FINISHED

GDCA McIntyre Cup grand final

Gisborne 215 (Afridi 52, D. Nolan 34, Quarrell 5-96) v Diggers Rest Bulla 215 (Barker 118, King 4-53)

*Gisborne crowned premiers after finishing second, two spots ahead of the Burras.

RDFL grand final

At fulltime

Diggers Rest 10.13 (73) v Riddell 11.7 (73)

After extra-time

Diggers Rest 12.14 (86) v Riddell 12.8 (80)