Woodend Cricket Club convincingly won the inaugural McIntyre Cup One Day Cup on Sunday.
Deciding to bat against home side Romsey in the 45 overs per side final, the Woodsmen compiled a healthy 9/200 c.c.
Evergreen Warren Else top scored with 59 and gave the innings impetus after several other batters had made a start, only to be dismissed as the innings progressed.
Xavier Tadd contributed 29, captain Marcus Syewart and Josh Eastley both 27, and Hayden Ingleton 24.
Taylor Stevenson captured 3-33, captain Ben Way 2-28, and Corey Day 2-30 for the Redbacks.
WELSH WIZARD STRIKES
Pace bowler Joe Monk joined Woodend from a cricket club in Wales this season, and soon had three vital wickets with the new ball on Sunday — his biggest impact for his side this season.
Monk dismissed opener Stevenson, then gained the prize wicket of Way caught behind, and soon after dismissed Matthew Milne. Monk finished with 3-18 from five overs.
Romsey battled to recover from these vital blows, and then Else got into the act and finished with 3-34, as other bowlers and fieldsmen played their part as well.
In a final tally of 143, Day top scored with 37, Nathan Hoy made 27, and Arron Paterson 27 with the last wicket falling at 143.
Else was awarded the inaugural Sean Huddle Medal for best afield — the medal recognises the outstanding fast bowler who became a fierce hitting opener as well.
The GDCA board rated Huddle the best one-day player to have been in the GDCA; his record is remarkable.
Else was the only Woodend player to have played against Huddle, and he was applauded at the after-game presentation.
The one-day final concept was originally suggested by the great Robbie McIntyre, former GDCA president and secretary.
Woodend end players all received medallions, as did long-time scorer Barbara Black.
Current president Simon Overden presented the silver One Day Cup to Woodend CC president Dan Heaney.
“We are building something very special at Woodend,” captain Marcus Stewart said.
Ben Way acknowledged his side had not been good enough, and now had sights set on the McIntyre Cup premiership.
