Chasing Gisborne’s sizeable 286, Romsey won a thrilling McIntyre Cup match on Saturday as Thomas Boyer hit a boundary with just four balls remaining.
Boyer’s 66 not out from just 45 balls was just what the home side needed.
Gisborne reduced Romsey to 9/260 with four overs remaining, and it was pace bowler Jamie Taylor who stayed with Boyer in the unbeaten last-wicket stand of 30.
In hot conditions, Romsey opener Matthew Milne defied the attack for 156 balls and made an invaluable 69.
In the crucial match, the Dragons struck a big blow by dismissing ace bat Ben Way for 17.
Milne remained defiant, then a good partnership between Corey Day 49 and Chris Burkett 39 gave the Redbacks renewed hope.
Paceman Leigh Brennan bowled a marathon 30 overs to capture 3/194; the absence of captain Jarryd Vernon (injured) meant less variety in the attack.
Gisborne slipped to second place, Romsey is a close third, and Woodend took over as ladder leader with a huge win against Macedon.
Chasing 202, Woodend compiled 7/342, aided by some below-par fielding.
Captain Marcus Stewart led the way with 110, Harrison Sheahan compiled 63, Warren Else 49 not out, Dan Eastley 37, and Xavier Tadd 35. Henry Bobetic claimed 3-31 for the Cats.
Rupertswood’s 328 was far too much for Sunbury Kangaroos, dismissed for 171.
In the remaining match, fourth-placed Sunbury United made 191 in replay to Broadford’s 169, with the latter 2/162 in a second stint at the crease.
In McIntyre 2nds, Macedon made 8/294 (Craig Pender 94, Ed Ferguson 79) chasing Woodend’s 9/341;Steve Grey made 123 for Sunbury United against Broadford, and Gisborne 132 and 6/100 lost to Romsey 8/209 dec.
