Gallery | Benalla secures first senior flag in WDCA

But with 10 overs left in the innings, two unlikely heroes were left at the crease in the forms of number 10 batter Dale Stratton and number 11 Matthew Priest.

From this dour position, Priest (25 not out from 26 balls) and Stratton (22 not out from 40) put on a 52-run partnership to give their side a chance heading into the second half of the match.

With ball in hand, the Bushrangers were able to capitalise on the momentum gathered late in their innings, with Priest (1-15 from six overs) and Stratton (1-5 from three) once again doing their part.

Captain Stewart McLeod (3-2 from 1.5 overs) and Brett Pollard (4-24 from eight) were the two standouts from the Bushrangers’ time in the field.

McLeod said that the 10th-wicket partnership provided a much-needed lift to the team’s spirits after a tough start to the match.

“They got us on the ropes pretty early and had us in a little bit of trouble, and then it came down to our last partnership,” he said.

“We were very flat, and everyone was a bit down. It’s probably the worst game all year that we played like that as batters; everyone was very much down.

“That partnership probably won us the grand final, and once it happened, everyone was up and about; us boys that were sitting on the sideline were cheering. That really changed it for us.

“Through the second innings, we pretty much were (in control) from the get-go. A couple of young kids came in and opened up our bowling, which was great, and they did really well.

This is the Bushrangers’ first flag since the Benalla cricket competition folded in 2015 before forming a club and joining the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association.

While it has been a long wait for the Bushies, vice-captain Craig Williams was also holding out for his first premiership, finally landing it on his seventh attempt.

Following the match, McLeod said the atmosphere around the club was filled with jubilation with one of the Bushrangers’ beloved figures Trever Saker saying a few words to club members.

“He (Saker) was over the moon and had a bit of a speech to us, and once he did that, it meant a little bit more to everyone that was a part of it, I think,” McLeod said.

“There were a fair few beers enjoyed after the game.

“It was really good to get back to the club rooms and enjoy it with everyone.”

The Bushrangers are primed for the future with two 15-year-olds Josh Hart and Will Botten playing their part in the premiership.