Wendouree has again proven to be a nemesis for Napoleons-Sebastopol in a Ballarat Cricket Association firsts final series.
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The Red Caps dug their way out of trouble with a middle order fight back to sneak home by two wickets in a semi-final at the Eastern Oval on Sunday.
Naps-Sebas had one hand on a grand final berth when it had Wendouree 4-68 in reply to 223.
However, just as Naps-Sebas skipper Matt Ringin did on Saturday with a 66 after his team was 4-103, Liam Brady and Tom Le Lievre stepped up for Wendouree.
Brady 66, and Le Lievre, 41, put on 98 for the fifth wicket.
However, when they were dismissed within the space of one-run at the hands of Ringin the ball was again back in the hand of Naps-Sebas.
Matt Smith then came into the frame and chancing his eye whipped up what was to be a quick-fire match-winning 40 off 38 balls, with eight boundaries even though when he was out at 7-211, Wendouree was far from secure.
It took Ryan Simmonds, 12, to keep a steady head to get past the luckless Naps-Sebas.
For Napoleons-Sebastopol, it continues a disappointing run in finals.
While it has made three grand finals in the past five seasons – meeting Wendouree twice – it is yet to break through in a big one and this is another opportunity gone despite another fine campaign and brave effort to the end.