Seemingly coasting to victory with eight runs needed and four wickets in hand, Woodend managed to find a way to lose a crucial McIntyre Cup match by one run.
The stunning collapse has put a serious dent in Woodend’s finals aspirations, and probably ensured Sunbury United will finish in third place. There are four rounds remaining before the semi-finals.
The extraordinary finish to the match at Gilbert Gordon Oval highlighted the round, with the eagerly awaited clash for top spot between Romsey and Gisborne being washed out by fickle rain which arrived just after captain Jarryd Vernon had scored a chanceless 118 for the Dragons.
Opening with his brother Riley (who made 17) Vernon’s superb knock came from 122 balls, and included 15 boundaries.
Romsey never got the chance to see if they could overhaul Gisborne’s 5/232 c.c.
Rain interrupted several other matches across the grades, but the majority were completed.
IN BOX SEAT
In a see-saw encounter, a determined Woodend showed plenty of application to be in the box seat for an important victory after finding United’s opening batters a problem.
Fabian Fernando scored 94 and Damian Edwards 70, with United scoring a healthy 6/238 c.c. All-rounder Andrew Cullen captured 4-42 in a good performance for the home side.
Woodend appeared to be battling in the run chase when captain Marcus Stewart was dismissed for 46, but Warren Else 38 and Hamish McDonald came to the rescue.
McDonald slammed 65 from 59 balls and his seventh wicket stand of 40 with James Pettigrew carried the Woodsmen to the brink of victory.
United’s pacemen did the damage, and one run was needed for a tie …. instead, United claimed two wickets and were jubilant with ‘the great escape’.
Senura Perara and Fernando claimed seven wickets between them.
Now Woodend face the prospect of taking on Romsey in a two-day encounter to keep finals hopes alive.
The match at Romsey should be the highlight of the two-day round.
Macedon, with virtually all players contributing, compiled 7/161c.c. with Ed Ferguson top scoring with 36.
Chris Ingleton 4-20 and Tim Berzins 3-40 were instrumental in bowling Diggers Rest/Bulla out for 136.
Macedon still has a chance of making finals, but now face the daunting task of trying to upset unbeaten Gisborne
Rupertswood caused an upset with a convincing 101 runs win over fourth-placed Sunbury Kangaroos.
MORE CENTURIES
Apart from Jarryd Vernon’s fine century in the top grade, five other batters also scored ‘tons’.
In Johnstone Shield 2nds Macedon opener Ivan Bobetic hit 17 fours on his way to an impressive 128.
Two United batters blitzed the bowling in the washed out McIntyre 2nds match against Woodend.
Liam Sherlock cracked 102 not out from just 45 balls, and opener Jayden Beever made 105 as United rattled up 4/316.
Lancefield’s Nathan Malone made an unbeaten 108 from 53 balls against Malmsbury in Club North, and Tyrelle Dunne scored 100 for Broadford against Wallan in the same grade.
Dunne was listed as ‘Fill-in’ on one result service, and he becomes the first player from Broadford to score a ‘ton’ this season.
Trentham’s Jensen 3rds match was all over very quickly, with Kilmore bundled out for 61 – John Cowell having the remarkable figures of 5-4.
Romsey’s Aaron Liddicoat skittled United’s openers early, and finished with a match-winning 5-19 in Jensen 1sts.
Romsey’s 133 – with Cam Armstrong making an unbeaten 70 in a tally of 133 was sufficient for a 51-runs victory.
