There was plenty of excitement at Sankey Reserve on Saturday, as Gisborne fell agonisingly short of overtaking Romsey’s first innings score in a dramatic last over.
The Duckworth Lewis System of scoring was operated due to a rain interruption.
Romsey’s Aaron Paterson bowled a sensational final over as the Redbacks scrambled home by one run.
It was a rain-interrupted afternoon as the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s 2024-2025 season began.
There were plenty of washouts, but three of the four McIntyre 1sts matches yielded results.
The replay of last season’s grand final was condensed into 25 overs apiece.
Sent in to bat, Romsey finished up compiling 5/165, with coach Ben Way blasting 65 from just 30 balls, and opener Taylor Stevenson showing good form with 53.
Gisborne welcomed Joshua Wills and Joshua Brown, both promising young cricketers from the UK.
Coach Jarryd Vernon and his assistants have plenty of talent at their disposal and another premiership will be no surprise.
A good start to the Dragons’ run chase produced 49 runs before a wicket fell, then Jarryd Vernon timed his free-scoring innings to perfection.
He played an array of strokes to score 75 from 56 balls before being bowled by Aaron Paterson in the 25th over.
The last over was extraordinary; there were wides, Jarryd Vernon was bowled by Paterson, and next ball the same fate befell assistant coach Leigh Brennan.
Then there was a run out on the final ball, again involving Paterson, as Gisborne finished on 8/171. Spectators certainly saw both sides put on a show.
FOOTNOTE: Much confusion surrounded the outcome by those watching the live score update over by over not being aware of the DL method being operated.
Tomorrow’s Express report will state Gisborne won; this is because sports writer Bill West watched the actual scores being posted, and was totally unaware of the change in scores due to DLS. He was not the only cricket follower who thought Gisborne had won by six runs instead of losing.
TWENTYMAN SCORES 113
An outstanding all-round performance on Saturday came from Rupertswood’s Matthew Twentyman as he scored 113 and then claimed three wickets as Sunbury Kangaroos made a valiant bid to scored 260 for victory.
Promoted Broadford did well to knock up 8/260 with opener Conner State slamming a quick fire 77.
Unfazed, Sunbury United replied with 2/261 from just 36.2 overs. Broadford’s attack could not stop the heavy run flow.
It was a dual Fernando feast, with evergreen Upul scoring 107 and Fabian an unbeaten 101 in a winning tally of 2/261. Fabian had earlier claimed three wickets.
The Woodend v Macedon match saw just under six overs of action, with it being called off before afternoon tea.
In McIntyre 2nds, Sunbury Kangaroos were bundled out for a meagre 40 by Rupertswood, with five ‘ducks’ on the scorecard.
This Saturday’s McIntyre 1sts matches are:
Macedon v Gisborne.
Romsey v Sunbury United.
Broadford v Rupertswood.
Sunbury Kangaroos v Woodend.
