Gumeracha has won their first ‘A’ grade premiership in 35 years after a 19-point win over Kersbrook at Macclesfield on Saturday. The Magpies produced a perfect finals series winning all three games. They defeated the reigning premier Ironbank Cherry Gardens and then twice conquered minor premier Kersbrook. The Brookers were undefeated in the minor round. Amazingly Gumeracha kicked 54.23 in their three finals, a whopping average of 116 points per game.

The game was played in magnificent conditions at Macclesfield Oval and Kersbrook started well kicking with the wind towards the clubrooms end to lead by 10 points at quarter time, 5.4 (34) to 4.0 (24). Gumeracha came out firing in the second quarter kicking six goals to two and taking a 15-point lead into the long break, 10.4 (64) to 7.7 (49). The third quarter was a real arm wrestle with Kersbrook pushing hard to try and reclaim the lead but Gumeracha held strong to turn for home with a 14-point lead. The Magpies started strongly and opened up a commanding 25-point lead but the Brookers hit back hard with three quick goals to cut the margin to just seven points with five minutes left. Both teams were exhausted but Gumeracha steadied to kick two late goals and win 18.8 (116) to 14.13 (97).

Ben Hanna and Matthew Armstrong kicked four goals each for the premiers while Chris Lodovici, Dillon Harding and Charlie Graeber each kicked three goals for Kersbrook. Ben Hanna capped off a fine year by being named best-on-ground and he was ably supported by James Troloppe and Nathan Warren. Brodie Haylock, Jack Mozuras and Matthew Gardner were best for Kersbrook.

It was an amazing turnaround from Gumeracha under first year Coach Rian Nelson after Kersbrook had beaten them by 92 points and 52 points during the minor round. A 35-year drought deserves a long celebration and there’s no doubt Gumeracha will be rocking this week!