A largely absorbing third round of McIntyre Cup 1sts cricket on Saturday afternoon saw fortunes ebb and flow across all four matches.
Reigning premier Gisborne struck trouble with a Fox, namely paceman Stephen, who took five of the first six wickets to fall for Sunbury Kangaroos, and it was vice-captain Leigh Brennan who largely put the Dragons back in a reasonable position with a controlled half century.
Macedon’s opening batters put on a steady partnership of 81 and the Cats needed under 100 with 10 wickets in hand for an upset victory against Sunbury United; a monumental collapse then saw them bowled out for just 133.
At Gilbert Gordon Oval, Woodend showed plenty of heart including a vital 63 runs for the ninth wicket against Rupertswood, and dismissing opposition captain-coach Matt Twentyman for a ‘duck’ after he had opened the season with 122 and 160 not out! Five visiting batters failed to score in a disappointing run chase.
Finally, Romsey remains unbeaten after another match went down to the last over. This time the Redbacks won with three balls to spare against a resilient Broadford.
Torrential rain on Thursday partially flooded some grounds, and plenty of work was needed to ensure most matches went ahead.
At Sankey Reserve, the Kangaroos came to play as Fox provided inspiration with the ball against Gisborne. Quality danger men Riley and Jarryd Vernon were each dismissed for 22 — something top sides would be more than happy with.
Struggling at 6/73, Gisborne needed runs from the lower order. Brennan, a true all-rounder, proved a stumbling block and received lower order support as well.
Gisborne’s 182, as Brennan top scored with 51, by no means guaranteed victory.
Fox finished with 5-26 and Mace Green claimed 4-27.
The Kangaroos then failed to produce the big innings needed, as Gisborne shared wickets around to bundle them out for a disappointing 133.
STRODS A MATCH WINNER
Macedon worked hard to restrict United to 178, with all-rounder Perara top scoring with 49; Nathan Aikman claimed four wickets.
Captain Gareth De Rosayro made 54 and fellow opener Chris Ingleton 24 as they added 81 runs before the first wicket fell.
Chris Strods was a match winner for United with the ball, capturing 6-32 to be man of the match.
The Cats could only manage 133, and now face unbeaten Romsey this Saturday.
Woodend lost captain Marcus Stewart on the fourth ball of the day against Rupertswood.
Talented Harry Lawson hit a quick fire 47 (eight fours), and a patient 47 from Daniel Eastley helped the Woodsmen.
James Morley and former Kyneton teenage star Harrison Sheahan added 63 for the ninth wicket to take the home side to 9/217 from 45 overs. Ned Crotty claimed 3-31.
Then Woodend paceman Joe Monk struck twice with the new ball, and three top Rupertswood batters departed for ‘ducks’.
Opener Kevin Barker made a swift 38, but the Woodsmen had plenty of bowlers to keep the pressure on.
Rupertswood eventually crumbled to be out for a disappointing 122, with Sheahan taking 3-29, including the prize wicket of Twentyman.
At home, Romsey appeared to have the upper hand for much of the encounter with Broadford.
Previous match century maker Gareth Sharp made 42, but Corey Day and Jamie Taylor bowled well and 7/162 c.c. looked well within reach of the Redbacks.
At one stage, the visitors had bowled tightly to push the run rate over a run a ball with Romsey 4/105.
Chris Burkett, with an unbeaten 55 the previous Saturday, was a key player and he reached 56 to be still there as Romsey gained victory with just THREE balls to spare.
Matt Hoyt 19, and Adam Frost who slammed a big six at precisely the right moment, helped the Redbacks end at 5/163.
Three wins in a row, and this one achieved without blazing batting from captain-coach Ben Way.
