The Wimmera-Mallee Cricket Association broke through for a long-sought Country Week premiership on Friday afternoon.
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Competing in division two at the Bendigo Country Week, the WMCA were guided by a stunning performance from international recruit Sunjara Abeywickrama to claim the title and earn promotion into division one.
It was a stellar result for the association after narrowly missing out on a grand final berth in division three last year.
WMCA captain Jake Leith said it was an excellent week.
"It's always thrilling to come away with a win against some of the best cricketers around," he said.
"I've been going over to Bendigo Country Week for nine years now and luckily this is my second win.
"It takes a lot of time and hard work, for everyone to get the time off work and go over there to play. It's great to get a bit of a reward."
Abeywickrama made an unbeaten 116 against Maryborough and District Cricket Association in the final, helping the WMCA set a mammoth total of 249.
Abeywickrama was assisted by opener Isaac McPherson (62), as the duo put together a match-winning 149-run partnership after the fall of the first wicket.
Maryborough fought hard but ultimately could not come close to the total, all out for 195.
All five of WMCA bowlers took wickets. Jake Leith led the way with 3-49, while Caeleb Leith (2-33) and Tom George (2-35) also bowled well.
Abeywickrama was awarded man of the match for his performance, capping off an excellent individual week of cricket.
Leith said the arrival of international recruits like Abeywickrama and opening batsman Tendai Maruma had been incredibly valuable in more ways than one.
"It's a blessing for our association with a few clubs finding those guys," he said.
"It's obviously great to have them in the Country Week team, but it helps our week-to-week cricket and our young guys as well. When teams come up against them, they know they have to perform a bit better.
"That little bit of extra competitiveness they bring - when a young bloke sees that, it shows them something a bit different and presents a new challenge."
Leith said he was already looking forward to the challenge of division one.
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