The McIntyre 2nds grand final turned into an epic battle between keen rivals Romsey and Sunbury United, with most batters finding runs hard to accumulate against tight bowling.
Romsey was on the verge of victory, but the last two wickets fell without addition leaving man of the match Matt Hoyt stranded on 49 not out – the top score for either side.
Played on the Romsey No. 2 oval, the match attracted plenty of spectators who were thanked for their interest by GDCA secretary Rob McIntyre at the after-match presentations.
Redbacks’ pace bowler Logan Collins dismissed both United openers cheaply, and skipper Adam Billinghurst top scored with 44 in a moderate total of 163, with Collins, Matt Hoyt, Sean Day and Jake East each claiming two wickets.
In their third grand final in succession, Romsey found United’s veteran paceman James Hughes very hard to score off; Hughes claimed 3-49 from 28 overs but Cooper Boyes was a match winner with the last three wickets.
With two wickets in hand, Romsey needed one run for a tie to be premiers, with Hoyt batting for a long time for his unbeaten 49 to hold the innings together. It was not to be.
BROADFORD PREMIERS
In their first season in the GDCA, Broadford Cricket Club won the Johnstone 1sts premiership by defeating Wallan.
Batting first on Saturday, Wallan reached 77 without loss, but Braden Hickey claimed 6-62 from 22 overs to restrict the Magpies to 9/225. Opener Sean Whittingham top scored with 85.
Broadford batters all contributed in the successful run chase, James Ingham leading the way with 85 in a winning tally of 6/227.
AINTREE VICTORY
A brilliant performance with bat and ball from Charandeep Kalsi was instrumental in Aintree’s Johnstone 2nds premiership victory against Rupertswood.
Kalsi top scored with 83 in Aintree’s 9/295, and followed up with 6-56 from 22 overs as Rupertswood was dismissed for 230.
