Bill West
Woodend missed a golden opportunity to climb off the bottom of the ladder by defeating one of the top sides in McIntyre Cup cricket on Saturday.
At Gilbert Gordon Oval, the Woodsmen had Sunbury United’s batting brigade reeling at 7/131, still 104 runs in arrears in the two day encounter.
Woodend’s 235 on the first day was highlighted by Xavier Tadd’s 112, and second placed United’s batters failed to impress until the stubborn Steve Fogarty was joined by all-rounder Senuru Perera, who had captured five wickets on the first day.
When Fogarty was caught for 94, two wickets remained, but the hard hitting Perera continued to attack the bowling.
The last wicket put on 55 runs and Perera was last man out for 100 (17 fours) with United making 277 to hold on to second place.
There as almost a boilover at Wallan, where the home side finished on 8.263 (Kieran Atkin 89, Bryan Vance 83 n.o.) in reply to third placed Bacchus Marsh’s 8/266 c.c.
Allen 120
Resuming at a 3/33 in reply to Romsey’s meagre 134, Gisborne lost two more wickets cheaply before class bat Mick Allen took control, with opener Matt Barake lending resolute support.
They added 127 for the sixth wicket before Barake departed for a valuable 62 from 234 balls.
Allen finished on 120 (17 fours) and Leigh Brennan was on 45 as the unbeaten ladder leaders finished the day at 9/305. Certainly the side to beat for the flag again.
Romsey’s loss was compounded as Diggers Rest/Bulla made the most of having 353 on the board by dismissing Sunbury Kangaroos twice for 80 and 111 to gain outright points to replace Romsey in fourth spot.
With three rounds to go before the semi-finals, fourth place seems to be wide open.
This weekend sees play on Saturday and Sunday – Gisborne v Diggers Rest/Bulla, Bacchus Marsh v Romsey, East Sunbury v Woodend, United v Wallan, and Kangaroos v Rupertswood.
Ladder: Gisborne 73.24, Sunbury United 67.06, Bacchus Marsh 63.44, Diggers Rest/Bulla 60.11, Romsey 53.14, Rupertswood 44.60, Kangaroos 37.92, Wallan 29.38, East Sunbury 29.03, Woodend 28.5.
The round was highlighted by the most centuries spread across various matches this season, as grounds are now much more conducive to quick scoring.
Good day for Macedon
Macedon teams had an excellent day, with a hard fought victory against Kyneton in Johnstone Shield, and an outright win at Trentham in division one.
A run a ball 74 from skipper Daniel Trotta, 42 from Tim Berzins and 32 by Chris Axton ensured Macedon reached 249 to overhaul Kyneon’s233 in Johnstone Shield.
Gisborne scored 300 (Jacob Murphy99, Gavin Bushes 75 n.o., and P. Nichols 43) but this was 51 short of Eynesbury’s 6/351 c.c.
Defending 211, Kilmore bowled United out for 173 (Brett Buttler 6-49, Josh Buttler 3-44) with the new side in the GDCA heding for a finals berth.
Bacchus Marsh scored 9/219 (D. Dickenson 93) in reply to Romsey’s 160.
Hanging Rock 6/283 dec. remain on top of the Jensen Shield ladder after gaining outright points as Blackwood could only manage to score 128 and 113.
A good effort by ‘The Rock’ brigade with second-placed Rupertswood also winning outright.
Lancefield’s 229 (H. Lehner 59, J. Regan 53) fell short by 34 runs against Diggers Rest/Bulla.
In division one Woodend 8/223 overhauled Kilmore’s 3/216 c.c. with opener G. McDonald leding the way with a quick fire 65.
Macedon 9/199 declared (C. Pender 58, G. Yow Yeh 43) defeated Trentham 131 and 61.
At Sankey Reserve, Aintree defeated Gisborne outright, with the home side managed 84 and 81 in two visits to the crease.
In division 2, Kyneton 158 lost to Sunbury United 9/189 (J. Hughes 100 n.o.) and Riddell 232 lost to Rupertswood 8/238 (M. McKenzie 112).
