Gisborne chased down Romsey’s 8/144 c.c. to win the McIntyre Cup grand final with 10 balls to spare on Saturday.
In a remarkable set of three finals, the Dragons only lost five wickets on their way to their fourth McIntyre Cup title, with skipper Jason Wilson winning the toss all three times and making the opposition bat.
There was a very large crowd at Gardiner Reserve, and they saw Romsey fight hard after routing Bacchus Marsh in the previous Saturday’s semi-final.
Up-and-coming young Gisborne allrounder Josh McDonald was awarded the Gary Sanders Medal for his 4/31 with the ball – and 19 runs at the top of the order.
Romsey had some consolation in taking out the second tier Johnstone Shield with a convincing victory over Macedon at Tony Clarke Reserve, showing the Redbacks under the leadership of Ben Way have plenty of talent in the ranks. Maybe a McIntyre Cup next season?
From president Andrew Headberry and senior coach Gavin Mackay down, Gisborne is a very well-organised club with eight senior teams – a far cry from the old days in the Gisborne District Cricket Association when there were just eight senior teams in total.
GDCA president Rob McIntyre said Gisborne had proved superior when it mattered despite finishing third on the ladder behind Sunbury United and Bacchus Marsh in what was a COVID-interrupted season.
Romsey batters found Gisborne’s tight attack hard to combat and hopes of a big score evaporated when McDonald dismissed Way for 44, Will Collins for 2, and Matt Burkett first ball in the one over.
Sean Day contributed 36 in a third wicket partnership with Way, after openers Chris Burkett and Taylor Stephenson added 34 for the first wicket. Aaron Paterson made a quick unbeaten 16 in a final tally of 8/144 from 45 overs.
Jay King, Mick Allen and Caedon Lane all claimed a wicket without conceding many runs.
Romsey needed quick wickets with the new ball, but Allen hit five boundaries in a quick-fire 36 to follow his unbeaten 92 in the semi-final, Wilson made a patient 37 and paceman Louis Moor claimed two wickets.
The Redbacks spilt a couple of catches, with Pat McKenna carrying the side home with an unbeaten 37 in a total of 4/146.
