With inspiring Gisborne skipper Jarryd Vernon sidelined through injury, and prolific scorer Riley Vernon dismissed very early for 4, Romsey’s McIntyre Cup Firsts side was seemingly in a strong position on Saturday.
Yet Gisborne’s other batters really stood up, reaching a formidable 286, which the third-placed Redbacks will be trying to chase down this Saturday.
Romsey’s versatile Taylor Stevenson captured a fine 6-69 from 22 overs, to follow up his 5-21 against Woodend a week earlier.
Jarryd Vernon is recovering from a knee injury he sustained when fielding, and younger brother Riley took over the captaincy in what is his 100th match for the Dragons.
Riley is entitled to be pleased with the position his side is in, and will be looking for the same fighting spirit from his bowlers; Romsey will be looking for a much-improved batting performance after the effort against Woodend in the previous match.
Romsey captain-coach Ben Way may hold the key to the match … when he gets going with the bat anything is possible. And Romsey has other batters capable of scoring runs as well.
Two substantial partnerships lifted Gisborne — the second-wicket stand between Spencer Jones 41 and Will McKay 45 and a frustrating (for Woodend) sixth-wicket effort between Harry Luxmoore who top scored with 61, and Reegan Scott who made 32.
Scott, holidaying from England, is playing his first game for Gisborne.
Late runs from down the order batters gave the innings momentum and the last wicket fell after 79.3 overs.
Well and truly ‘Game On’.
MACEDON RECOVERS
After successive scores of 106 not out, 73, and 136, Macedon’s hard-hitting Alex Browne failed, being dismissed early for two, much to Woodend’s relief.
Will Bobetic scored 59, Chris Ingleton 37 not out and Chris Bobetic 32 as the Cats fought hard to reach 202 and make a game of it against the Woodsmen at Tony Clarke Oval.
This is a ‘must win’ match for second-placed Woodend.
Fourth-placed Sunbury United had a good day with the ball, dismissing Broadford for 169, and reaching 2/73 by stumps.
In the remaining match, Rupertswood went on a run spree, scoring 328 against Sunbury Kangaroos.
Captain Matt Twentyman led the way with 76, and Ned Crotty remaining 69 not out.
In McIntyre 2nds at Gilbert Gordon Oval, Woodend reached 9/341 against Macedon.
Jock Braszell top scored with 67, Greg Matthews made a whirlwind 56, and Brett Gardner 51.
Jensen Shield and lower grades had a holiday.
PROGRESS SCORES
Scores in Gisborne District Cricket Association matches to be completed on Saturday are:
McIntyre 1sts; Macedon 202 v Woodend: Romsey v Gisborne 286; Broadford 169 v Sunbury United 2/73; Rupertswood 328 v Sunbury Kangaroos.
McIntyre 2nds — Woodend 9/341 v Macedon; Gisborne 132 v Romsey 0/58; Sunbury United v Broadford (scores not posted).
Johnstone 1sts: Aintree 175 v Kilmore; East Sunbury 150 v Eynesbury; Eastern Hill 9/192 v Wallan.
Johnstone 2nds: East Sunbury 246 v Eynesbury; Kilmore 181 v Aintree 0/34; Eastern Hill v Wallan (no scores posted).
