Records tumbled yesterday (Tuesday) when Gisborne District Cricket Association outclassed Wangaratta at Melbourne Country Week.
GDCA vice-captain Marcus Stewart hit a superb unbeaten 152 (14 fours, four sixes) to become the highest GDCA scorer yet in Country Week competitions.
The tally of 7/325 from 50 overs was a record as well for the GDCA, and so were a couple of partnerships.
The first came for the second wicket with opener Riley Vernon who contributed 55, and the next with hard-hitting youngster Nathan Fowler who made 50 off just 30 balls.
Current captain of Woodend, Stewart has been in fine form with the bat for current McIntyre 1sts ladder-leader Woodend this season, with 129 against Romsey his highest score.
The match against Wangaratta was played at Essendon’s Windy Hill.
Gisborne dismissed Wangaratta for 135 (Josh Wills 3-21, Taylor Stevenson 3-30, Aaron Paterson 2-19) to boost percentage considerably. Wicketkeeper Matt Barake claimed five catches.
On Monday, the GDCA began Country Week against a strong Ballarat side, and made 174 after being sent in.
Ballarat bowlers made good use of a helpful pitch, and Gisborne lost several early wickets before Chris Burkett 60 and Barake 41 not out spearheaded a recovery.
In reply, Ballarat compiled 4/175, and followed up with another victory yesterday.
ANOTHER VICTORY
Today (Wednesday) Gisborne’s representative team had an easy victory in a match played on Harry Trott Oval at Albert Park.
Sending Kingston-Hawthorn Under 18s in to bat paid off as Josh Wills and Harry Sheahan took the new ball and soon reduced the opposition to 3/18.
The innings concluded at 107 after 35 overs, with the main wicket-takers Riley Vernon 3-19, Sheahan 2-15 and Aaron Paterson 2-15.
A revamped Gisborne batting order saw quick runs flow for a winning 4/108 from 15.4 overs.
Taylor Stevenson 27, Ben Way 22, Nathan Fowler 21 (3 sixes). Damien Edwards 16 and Thomas Boyer 12 n.o. were the main scorers. Vernon did not bat, and century maker Stewart remained seven not out.
