With GDCA semi-finals not far away, McIntyre 1sts ladder-leader Woodend and premiership hope Romsey find themselves facing tough tests on the second day of their current encounters.
The second last round of the season is at the halfway point after a hot and blustery Saturday, and Woodend will be relying on its bowlers to keep a determined Rupertswood at bay.
And Romsey will also look to its multi-pronged attack to try and get six points against down-the-ladder Broadford.
In contrast, defending premier Gisborne is in control against bottom side Sunbury Kangaroos, and fifth-placed Sunbury United rattled up 9/302 c.c. against Macedon with an eye on a finals spot.
There are several scenarios around what may happen this Saturday.
WOODEND JOLTED
At Salesian College, Rupertswood paceman Deegan Campbell stunned Woodend by capturing three early wickets with the new ball. Prolific scorer Marcus Stewart fell for just 2!
At one stage the Woodsmen were 4/40, and it was ‘Mr Reliable’ Warren Else to the rescue once again.
Else top scored with 54, and Hamish McDonald contributed 29 but Rupertswood was not to be denied with the incentive of a possible finals berth.
A valuable last-wicket stand between Joe Monk and Tom Robson carried Woodend to 205.
Romsey’s early batters were pinned down by a persistent Broadford attack at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Captain Ben Way top scored with 53, Chris Burkett kept up his good form with 48, and Taylor Stevenson contributed 43, with Jeff Jones 4-63 best with the ball.
Romsey was all out for 227, and Broadford’s openers scored 16 without loss in the three overs before stumps.
Second-placed Gisborne dismissed Sunbury Kangaroos for 172 ( Simon Barry 39 — Josh Wills 3-20) and reached 0/40 by stumps with Warren Kelly and Spencer Jones at the crease.
Can Gisborne conjure up an unlikely outright victory on Saturday?
Sunbury United compiled 7/302 from 80 overs against Macedon, with evergreen former skipper Upul Fernando leading the way with 105, and Fabian Fernando making 49.
There is one two-day round to follow, with precise final four positions still uncertain.
IN OTHER GRADES
A summary of other matches from Saturday includes:
McIntyre 2nds: Romsey 349 (J. Wallace 122, D. Peterson 58 n.o., Tim Dale 53, N. Huy 37) v Broadford; Woodend 188 (B. Gardner 67, J. Pettigrew 52) v Rupertswood; Macedon 7/228 (B. McKay 65, I. Bobetic 36) v Sunbury United.
Johnstone 1sts: Eastern Hill 9/204 v East Sunbury; Eynesbury 9/181 v Aintree; Diggers Rest/Bulla 241v Wallan. Johnstone 2nds: Eastern Hill 9/262 (P. Speechley 84) v East Sunbury; Eynesbury 115 v Aintree 1/73; Diggers Rest/Bulla 305 (L. Andrew 89, J. Grant 72) v Wallan.
Jensen 1sts: Gisborne 8/144 lost to Sunbury United 2/145 H. Knott 87 n.o.; Rupertswood 122 (B. Marshall 50) lost to Riddell 6/124 (H. Fisher 37 n.o. Lancefield 8/199 (C. Sankey 39, V. McClure 33) d Hrkness 9.167 (G. Grewal 72 — L. Malone 3-34); Melton South 5/204 (N. D’antonio 95) lost to Wallan 4/205 (H. Sandhu 70 n.o.
Jensen 2nds: Romsey 9/195 X. Webb 78, C. Armstrong 37 — S. Zubrycki 5-22) lost to Hanging Rock 4/197 L. Vincent 77 n.o., Zubrycki 43); Lancefield 8/75 c.c. Lost to Rupertswood 3/77; Malmsbury 6/259 (Mat Cox 84, Tom Logan 80 — B. Lilford 4-32) d Macedon 121 (S. Gray 59 n.o., — Cox 4-9; Trentham 5/321 (H. Fitzpatrick 103 ret, G. Thomson 100 ret. d Blackwood 7/106 — J. Hassan 3-16.
Jensen 3rds: Harkness 105 lost to Kilmore 7/106; MeltonCentrals 6/227 (M. Murphy 70) tied with Melton 8/227 (M. Sell 61, J. Robb 54 n.o.; Diggers Rest/Bulla 147 lost to Sunbury 8/177; Melton South 5/201 d Sunbury Kangaroos 125.
Club North: Woodend 9/179 (D. Edwards 68, G. McDonald 53 n.o. S. Orr 3-27) d Malmsbury 5/156 (P. Mulday 51 ret. N.o.; Wallan 8/122 lost to Kilmore 2/125; Broadford 4/163 lost to Gisborne 8/165 (S. Freeth 45);Lancefield 4/276 M. Crossland 51, N. Budde 51 ret n.o., D. Mallia-Hogan 50 ret. n.o. D Eastern Hill 7/101.
Club South: Gisborne forfeited to Woodend; Riddell 211 (C. Barker 53, C. Wooley 47 – M. Shanahan 3-5) d Hanging Rock 52 *M. Rosacher 4-1, M. Zytek 4-26); Rupertswood 9/169 (A. Morrison 58 n.o.) d Melton Centrals 155 ( R. Singh 45 – M. Howard 4-30); Eynesbury 113 (C. Davis 51 n.o.) lost to Sunbury United 1/116(D. George 51 ret.).
