Bill West
Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve was full of high drama on Saturday as one of the brightest young stars in McIntyre Cup cricket made a superlative record-breaking run-a-ball 210, with promise of more to come in the qualifying final.
Then Riley Vernon was struck down as an attempted ramp shot off Rupertswood fast bowler John Lane went horribly wrong, the ball rocketing into his head. The match stopped and immediate help was summoned.
The 22-year-old Gisborne opening bat ended up being rushed to a Melbourne hospital by ambulance and may not play again this season, even if the flag favourite makes the grand final.
Riley sustained a fractured orbital bone in an eye socket, with cuts above and below a completely closed eye.
Yet he sounded remarkably resilient in the Royal Melbourne Hospital when the Express spoke to him by phone on Sunday afternoon.
Riley was hoping to find out if he could have repair surgery this week, and is resigned to missing this weekend’s knockout semi-final against Romsey.
His 210 retired hurt innings was a big part in Gisborne reaching 8/401 c.c. from 80 overs against Rupertswood on Saturday.
Jarryd Vernon, Riley’s older brother and Gisborne captain, made a quick 71 to continue his remarkable run-scoring season.
He said it was a “wait and see” situation regarding Riley’s recovery … Gisborne had to win the semi-final before wondering whether Riley could be available for the grand final.
“We always enjoyed hitting balls in the backyard together … I think we helped one another become better at the game,” Riley said of his brother.
In some ways Riley could be described as having lived in the shadow of his gifted older brother on the sporting field.
Jarryd recently scored 178 for Gisborne, and he said his brother had batted extraordinarily well against Rupertswood.
“I’ve never played in a match where a double century has been scored,” Jarryd said.
Match umpire and GDCA life member Mick Jensen said Riley’s innings was chanceless, one of the best he has seen over his long time involved with cricket.
HARMAN’S RECORD GOES
Saturday’s double century broke Gisborne’s all-time highest score record of 199 not out by quality bat Steve Harman.
“I’ve practised the ramp shot and scored several fours with it on Saturday … I guess it was just one too many,” Riley quipped.
For a period he tried his luck with Richmond and Essendon in Premier League but found time commitments difficult to meet, especially with studying as an apprentice glazier (he works with his family’s well-known Macedon Ranges business).
Spotswood Cricket Club also had the talented youngster in its lineup at one stage.
Riley said he loved playing with Gisborne, and hoped to remain there next season.
The well-known Gisborne sporting family thanks all the well wishers who have contacted them since hearing of Riley’s unfortunate injury.
Rupertswood made 229 on Sunday and never looked likely to threaten Gisborne’s massive tally.
Second-placed Romsey just failed to chase down Bacchus Marsh’s moderate score of 194, but stay in the finals due to being the highest placed lucky loser on the ladder (That leap from fourth to second with an outright over East Sunbury was a godsend for the Redbacks).
The other McIntyre Cup semi-final at the weekend is between Sunbury United and Bacchus Marsh.
