Run outs at the right time helped unbeaten McIntyre Cup 1sts leader Gisborne hold off a strong challenge from Rupertswood on Saturday.
On a day when the cricket world was awash with Australian opening bat supremo David Warner playing his last Test match, the one-day encounter at Gardiner Reserve turned into the best contest in the GDCA.
Only McIntyre Cup and Johnstone Shield 1sts matches were played, with the competition back in full swing this Saturday.
Gisborne could not have anticipated such a strong showing from Rupertswood, thrashed by the Dragons earlier in the season.
Batting first, Gisborne compiled a healthy 264 from 44.4 overs, with the irrepressible Riley Vernon leading the way with 82 (109 balls).
Jarryd Vernon knocked up a quick 48, Will Mackay 42 and opener Warren Kelly 24.
The visitors did not appear a danger when the first run out occurred to reduce them to 3/79.
Captain Nathan Shoesmith produced a fine 81 but he was the second run out victim with the score on 164. Rupo needed 100 runs off the last 20 overs to cause a boilover.
Riley Vernon proved his versatility to secure four wickets, and danger man Sam Dennis was the third run out after making a quick 39.
Rupertswood was out for 229 in 40.4 overs, in a performance which indicates no team can take them lightly.
WOODEND STUMBLE
Needing to win, a below full strength Woodend was outplayed by a very competitive Sunbury Kangaroos at Gilbert Gordon Reserve.
Losing captain and ace opener Marcus Stewart for 1 was a major setback, and it was left to co-opener Harry Lawson to lift the scoring rate.
He contributed 82 (103 balls), Hayden Ingleton made an unbeaten 39 and Andrew Cullen 35 in a score of 6/185 from 45 overs.
The Kangaroos rotated eight bowlers to good effect, and despite losing an early wicket to Lawson, the visitors set their sights on victory.
A second wicket stand of 108 between Shane Stuart 75 not out and Jordan Ballinger 64 was decisive and the Kangaroos finished on 4/182 in 37.1 overs, lifting their finals hopes. Stewart claimed 3-23 but it was all too late.
Woodend now face a tough match against third-placed Sunbury United this Saturday.
Second-placed Romsey always had the match against Macedon at Tony Clarke Reserve under control.
Chris Marienfield removed both openers with the new ball and also secured an early run out.
Macedon struggled to reach 6/135 c.c. (Ed Ferguson 36, Tim Berzins 26.)
Romsey’s batters failed to build big scores but coach Ben Way arrived at the crease to compile an unbeaten 35 as the visitors won in just 36.5 overs.
In the remaining match, bottom side Diggers Rest was restricted to 8/156 c.c. by Sunbury United.
United lost two class batters early, but opener Damien Edwards 68 not out and skipper Upul Fernando 58 scored freely as United chalked up 3/158 in 29 overs.
TOP TEAM DOWN
In Johnstone Shield, unbeaten ladder leader Wallan suffered a 14-run defeat against down the ladder Eynesbury.
Eynesbury rattled up 4/197 c.c. from 40 overs, with Cameron Price unbeaten on 73 and Shane Collins contributing 47.
The Magpies were shocked when dynamic openers Kieran Atkin and Jack Mifsud were back in the pavilion within two overs.
Wallan captain Bryan Vance, the hardest man to dismiss in Johnstone Shield, scored 72 and Beau Fowler 44 but 7/185 was not enough with Collins collecting 4-29 from his eight overs.
Riddell batters struggled on the Kilmore turf, being bundled out for 98 (C. Woolley 32, B. Stancombe 24).
Kilmore replied with 3/99 in 29 overs (Leon Zelyvs 54).
In the closest match of the day Broadford compiled 140 (Gareth Sharp 63) then bowled East Sunbury out for 125 (James Jones 3-13).
Current ladder: Wallan 49.6, Broadford 45.7, Aintree 41.1, East Sunbury 31.5, Kilmore 30.9, Eynesbury 30.5, Riddell 15.0.
