Woodend Cricket Club and its players and supporters are very much in celebration mode after winning the McIntyre Cup Premiership for 2025-26 at the weekend.
The Woodsmen claimed their first top grade flag in the Gisborne District Cricket Association since 2003-04, with the Grand Final ending in a draw at 5.30pm on Sunday.
Heavy rain on Saturday morning at Wallan delayed the start of the scheduled two-day match (80 overs apiece) and had a significant impact on how the match was played.
Woodend captain Marcus Stewart won the toss when the Greenhill Reserve ground was declared fit for play and invited Gisborne to bat; this decision gave top of the ladder Woodend two options — overhaul whatever score the Dragons may post, or make sure Woodend is still batting at 5.30pm Sunday.
In simple terms, a draw gets Woodend an overdue premiership, with Gisborne’s bid for three flags in a row unfulfilled. And this is precisely what eventuated.
There seems to be almost universal agreement that the best two sides in McIntyre Cup 1sts were in the grand final.
The Woodend club, from livewire president Daniel Heaney, senior coach Josh Eastley and Stewart down, know they will be the hunted rather than the hunter next season.
Proud of being all locals, apart from specialist coach allrounder Jacques Du Toit from overseas, Woodend expects to improve further in 2026-27.
Bringing talented young players through to produce peak performances is expected to continue to be a priority.
KEEPING THINGS TIGHT
Gisborne’s batting brigade could not wrest control back from a generally tight Woodend pace and spin attack on Saturday, when only 49 overs were bowled.
Excellent ground fielding saved vital runs, and pacemen Josh Morley and Hamish Sheahan captured the first three wickets.
Quality batters Jarryd and Riley Vernon loomed large for Gisborne as they combined for a vital fourth wicket partnership; irrepressible Warren Else struck twice to clean bowl them for 31 and 17 respectively, and Matt Barake was trapped leg before for 11 by in-form spinner Tom Robson.
When stumps were drawn it was 6/136 with Gisborne knowing quick runs were a premium on Sunday.
Robson removed the dangerous Warren Kelly for 20 early on Sunday, but some handy late order runs enabled a declaration to be made at 9/185.
Robson’s 3-35 from 19 overs made him the pick of the bowlers, with Else and Morley not far behind.
HARD TASK
Gisborne’s attack faced a tough task, but effort and enthusiasm was 100 per cent.
It was soon clear Woodend was taking a “no risk” approach, particularly when Stewart faced 73 balls before being dismissed by a top delivery from Josh Wills.
At 3/36, Gisborne still had a chance but the clock was ticking down.
An unbeaten fourth wicket stand of 81 between 21-year-old Ollie Price and Du Toit snuffed out any chance of Gisborne bouncing back. Good defence and keeping the ball along the turf paid off.
Price’s 45 not out came from 127 balls, and Du Toit’s 36 not out from 91.
Wills finished with 2/41, and strike bowler Leigh Brennan 1/20 from 17 overs.
Cheers from a large Woodend spectator base had become increasingly louder as the “premiership wrapped up” neared reality.
PRESENTATIONS
Presentation of the McIntyre Cup and individual medals, as well as ‘Man of the Match’ followed, with GDCA president Simon Ovenden officiating.
He thanked Wallan Cricket Club and its president Robbie Fowler for having the ground and facilities in top condition, and commended both sides for a very competitive match.
“Unfortunately, the weather got in the way of a result,” he said.
Officiating grand final umpires Chris Bretag, Ron Smethurst and Shiraz Shamsudeen were thanked for their efforts.
Linda Fullard, representing the McIntyre family, presented the cup and the premiership medals, congratulating all involved.
GDCA life member Gary Sanders presented the Sanders Medal for ‘Man of the Match’ award — decided by the umpires — to Ollie Price, who appears to have a bright future ahead.
Sanders said clearly the best two sides had played off.
Jarryd Vernon congratulated Woodend, and praised his own side for their never-say-die attitude.
“It’s always tough against Gisborne,” Stewart said, in praising his side on its performance over the season and in the finals. He singled out Daniel Heaney and Mick Barker for their positive influence.
The GDCA’s end-of-season dinner takes place tomorrow night in Sunbury, with the Sullivan Medal and other awards to be presented.
GRAND FINAL SCOREBOARD
Woodend won toss and decided to bowl.
GISBORNE
B. Cook ……..bowled Morley 7
S. Jones ….c — b Morley 24
P. Sammut c Prince b Sheahan 18
J. Vernon ……. bowled Else 31
R. Vernon ……. bowled Else 17
M. Barake ……. lbw Robson 11
W. Kelly ….. c Stewart b Robson 20
L. Brennan ….. not out 19
J. Catania … c Price b McDonald 11
J. King …… not out 0
Extras …… 4.
TOTAL 9/185 dec. (62.3 overs)
Bowling: H. Sheahan 2-67, J. Morley 2-40, T. Robson 3-35, W. Else 2-36, H. McDonald 1-4.
WOODEND
J. Eastley …… c Luxmoore b Wills 4.
H. Lawson ….. b Brennan 12
M. Stewart ….. c R. Vernon b Wills 8
O. Price …….. not out 45
J. Du Toit …… not out 36
Extras …… 12
TOTAL 3/117 (61 overs).
Result: Match drawn — Woodend Premiers (finished on top of the ladder).
