Bill West
Two of the outstanding batsmen in McIntyre Cup cricket played match-winning innings for their sides on Saturday.
Talented Gisborne skipper Jarryd Vernon, back from a stint in turf competition, hit an unbeaten 75 at a run-a-ball pace, and his Romsey counterpart Ben Way carried his side to victory in just 31 overs against Woodend.
As Gisborne District Cricket Association operations manager Rob McIntyre said, it was tremendous to see cricket finally under way after the first four rounds were decimated by waterlogged grounds.
Players were hungry for action, but there were a minority of ‘match abandoned’ matches across some of the lower grades due to grounds being below par.
Reigning premier Gisborne methodically outplayed Rupertswood with quality recruit Leigh Brennan making an impact.
Rupertswood struggled to compile 136 (Mick Allen 4-10, Brennan 3-35).
The Dragons lost both openers cheaply, then Vernon and Breenan put on a match-winning partnership with the latter out for 50. Gisborne ended up with 3/139 on the board.
At Gilbert Gordon Oval, Woodend opener Marcus Stewart scored 47, Finn Hannegraff 27 and Warren Else 25 in a moderate tally of 162. Paceman Louis Moor 4-32 and Jamie Tayor 3-34 did the damage.
Romsey received a good start from Chris Burkett 34, but the match was in the balance at 5/93 after spinner Tom Robson claimed three wickets and coach Greg Matthews two.
Way revels in rescue operations with the bat, and the sixth wicket produced 74 runs as the Redbacks finished on 5/167 – Aaron Paterson 26 did well to support his captain.
In an absolute thriller that came down to the last ball, Diggers Rest/Bulla reached 5/170 (captain Rasika Batepola 100 not out) in response to Wallan’s 6/169 c.c. (Bryan Vance 98, Chris Veechie 38 not out).
Sunbury Kangaroos drew with Bacchus Marsh (match called off) and East Sunbury 154 (L. Williams 59 – R. Mendis 5/27) lost to Sunbury United 258 (L. Sherlock 67, U. Fernando 45, D. Edwards 42).
KILMORE WINS ON DEBUT
Joining the GDCA after many years in the Seymour District competition, Kilmore won its first match by 11 runs against Eynesbury in second tier Johnstone Shield.
Batting first, Kilmore compiled 151 (J. Buttler 43 – G. Singh 4-10) then bowled the opposition out for 140 (T. Francis 78 – T. Manuel 3-15).
Chris Axton, a Macedon stalwart, excelled with bat and ball for the Cats.
Axton hit a quick fire 46 not out late in the innings of 7/193 c.c. (Brendon Scott 41 not out) and shone with the ball to collect 4-21 as Sunbury United battled to score 153.
Romsey batsmen scored quickly to make 9/212 cc (Nathan Huy 49, Paul Brady 36, Corey Day 35) and Riddell collapsed to be all out for 67 in 25.4 overs (Day 3-15, Jake Patton 3-21).
NICHOLLS 112 NOT OUT
Hanging Rock’s Bruce Nicholls scored an unbeaten 112 (10 fours, two sixes) to enable his side to reach 6/176 c.c. at Wallan.
The Magpies were restricted to 9/123 in reply.
At the Kyneton Showgrounds, Malmsbury fought hard before going down to Diggers Rest/Bulla by seven runs.
Diggers Rest/Bulla scored 8/143 c.c. and flood ravaged Malmsbury was bowled out for 136.
In the remaining game, Bacchus Marsh 5/247 c.c. outclassed Lancefield all out for 41.
Division 1: Macedon 9/154 c.c. (C. Pender 43) lost to Bacchus Marsh 3/158; Aintree 7/219 c.c. d Woodend 9/124 (A. Cavric 52); Melton South 3/277 c.c. M. Anchor 100, N. Waites 90) d Gisborne 7/80; Kilmore 115 d Rupertswood 89.; Trentham v East Sunbury (no result supplied).
Division 2: Sunbury 3/169 c.c. d Riddell 69; Kyneton 9/100 (S. Burgis 37) lost to Macedon; Sunbury United v Romsey abandoned.
