Woodend’s McIntyre Cup 1sts team had to pull out all stops to score an important victory against finals contender Sunbury United on Saturday.
The tenth round GDCA match of the day ebbed and flowed with the Woodsmen enhancing their prospects of playing finals.
Woodend head coach Josh Eastley said it was a good team performance after losing twice to ladder-leader Gisborne before Christmas, after previously being undefeated.
“By making over 200 runs we gave ourselves a chance, and our bowlers persevered and shared the wickets around.
“We’re really looking forward to playing Romsey at Gilbert Gordon Oval this Saturday,” Eastley said.
After losing captain Marcus Stewart to a fine delivery relatively early in the innings, Woodend managed to consolidate with a crucial partnership between Hayden Ingleton who top scored with a patient half century, and evergreen Warren Else who again showed his capacity for making runs under pressure.
“Other batters also made useful runs, and with 9/222 c.c. on the board we had to doour best with the ball,” Eastley said.
“It was a great game of cricket, and United opener Fabian Fernando reached the eighties before we managed to claim his wicket.”
Twenty runs later United was dismissed for 207.
ROMSEY EASILY
At home, Romsey dominated the match against Rupertswood after Chris Burkett claimed two wickets in his first over with the new ball, and Way quickly grabbed another.
Skipper Matt Twentyman played a lone hand for his side, scoring 54 before being bowled by Jamie Taylor.
All out for 120 in just 36.4 overs as the Redbacks used eight bowlers, Rupertswood needed a miracle.
It didn’t happen despite the loss of two early wickets.
Way hit an unbeaten 51 and Taylor Stevenson was 35 not out in a tally of 2/121 from just 24.1 overs.
Now it’s full attention to the task ahead at Woodend, with both sides keen to secure another six points and consolidate for the second half of the season.
GISBORNE TOO GOOD
Playing at Broadford, Gisborne was expected to be too strong, and so it proved, with top order batters scoring valuable runs.
Spencer Jones 39 and Riley Vernon 25 had another half century opening stand, and Will Mackay 45 and skipper Jarryd Vernon 42 were in good form in a tally of 9/219 c.c.
Riley Nolan claimed both Vernon wickets.
Broadford’s hopes of making a big run chase challenge virtually vanished when paceman Leigh Breenan bowled quality bat Greg Sharp first ball he faced.
Gisborne effectively pegged the run rate, with the last wicket falling at 180 (Ayran Sharma 51, Josh Nolan 35). Five batters failed to score.
The Dragons are home to Sunbury United this Saturday, keen to consolidate top place.
BROWNE AGAIN
Macedon rejoiced before Christmas with an overdue win, highlighted by West Indian recruit Alex Browne slamming an unbeaten 106.
Opener Browne was at it again on Saturday, rattling up 73 from 56 deliveries and sharing a second-wicket stand of 88 with Cam Howlett, who scored 60 in a winning tally of 4/178 at Tony Clarke Reserve.
Earlier, Macedon restricted Sunbury Kangaroos to 9/174.
SIX ‘DUCKS’
After the Christmas-New Year break, some players were battling for form.
Strong McIntyre 2nds side Wallan had six batters dismissed for ‘ducks’ at Kilmore, but the home side then struggled for runs and were bowled out for 80 on the turf.
There was a thriller in McIntyre 2nds, with Woodend going down to Sunbury United with the last pair at the wicket after the Woodsmen had made 7/160 c.c.
ALL THE SCORES
Match scores in Gisborne District Cricket Association matches at the weekend include:
McIntyre 1sts: Gisborne 9/219 c.c. d Broadford 180; Rupertswood 120 lost to Romsey 2/121; Sunbury Kangaroos 9/174 c.c. Lost to Macedon 4/176; Woodend 9/222 c.c. D Sunbury United 207 (subject to confirmation).
McIntyre 2nds: Broadford 109 d Gisborne 105; Lancefield 7/160 c.c. Lost to Sunbury United 9/162; Rupertswood 8/213 c.c. d Romsey 112.
Johnstone 1sts: Wallan 107 d Kilmore 80; Eastern Hill 116 d Eynesbury 84; East Sunbury 9/192 c.c. D Diggers Rest 164.
Johnstone 2nds: Kilmore 7/180c.c. Lost to Wallan 4/181; Eastern Hill 9/182 c.c. D Eynesbury 7/173; Diggers Rest/Bulla 6/222 c.c. d East Sunbury 7/88.
Jensen 1sts: Lancefield 8/184 c.c. D Wallan,Rupertswood 9/163 c.c. D Sunbury United 9/163; Harkness 6/277 c.c. D Gisborne 6/87; Riddell 5/291 c.c. d Melton South 105.
Jensen 2nds: Lancefield 7/160 c.c. lost to Hanging Rock 7/162; Macedon 8/185 c.c. d Rupertswood 9/183; Blackwood 8/191 c.c. lost to Malmsbury 4/192 c.c. (M. Cox 88 n.o.); Trentham 7/190 c.c. lost to Romsey 9/195.
Jensen 3rds: Woodend 3/270c.c. D Melton South 5/163; Gisborne 51 lost to Melton 2/52; Diggers Rest/Bulla 9/154 c.c. d Kilmore 9/128; Harkness 9/148 c.c.d Sunbury Kangaroos 9/124; Sunbury 6/164 d Melton Centrals 158.
Club North: Lancefield 9/208 c.c. D Kilmore 169; Gisborne 9/146 c.c. d Malmsbury 9/91; Eastern Hill 83 lost to Woodend 4/85; Broadford 4/175 d Wallan 108.
