Peter Sedgley: Grassmere’s loyal servant.
GRASSMERE veteran Peter Sedgley came out of retirement three seasons ago to help resurrect the Meerkats.
The Meerkats missed the 2009-10 season and returned for the following summer.
Now, after three years of hard work, Grassmere will play off for its first Grassmere Cricket Association A grade premiership since 1996-97.
The Meerkats play perennial grand finalist Panmure Bulldogs at Purnim today and tomorrow.
Sedgley, who spent 15 years out of the game before his comeback, was happily retired when the Meerkats last tasted grand final success.
“I think 1993 might have been my last year and I went off and did other things,” he said.
“I came back to Grassmere just after they folded.
“The only inspiration I have is to keep the team going and I am secretary of the club.
“I have a lot of history and a lot of good memories there and it’s always good to catch up with people at the reunions.
“It’s important, I feel, that the club continues on, so I will do whatever I can.
“I am really happy for the two teams. A and B are both in the grand finals so I am really pleased for the club.
“Winning would be out of this world.”
Sedgley is a five-time Grassmere premiership player, contributing to the club’s 1980-81, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1988-89 and 1991-92 flags.
He has won the GCA’s A grade wicketkeeping aggregate four times.
At 49, Sedgley still mans the stumps.
“I am opening the batting but probably shouldn’t be,” he said.
“I am the old fart who can hold up one end at the moment.
“We need a new wicket-keeper for A grade and then I will sneak down to B grade.” Grassmere skipper Chris Lenehan said the Meerkats embraced the underdog mantle.
“Panmure has won eight out of the past 10 grand finals,” Lenehan said.
“We are 1-1 this year. It should be an even contest.
“We need to take wickets and keep them to under 200 with the bat if they bat first.
“They are good at putting partnerships together of 30 or 40.
“They sneak up on you.
“Nathan Shand and Daniel Meade are pretty good bowlers and they will do the majority of the bowling.
“If we can see them off and not let them get too many wickets early …”
The Meerkats will welcome back opening bowler Ben Clark as 12th man bowler.
Clark has missed six weeks with a finger injury.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au