In excess of 400 runs in successive matches has boosted Gisborne’s confidence with McIntyre Cup finals coming up.
The Dragons’ tally of 9/409 c.c. from 80 overs against Rupertswood at Gardiner Reserve on Saturday was highlighted by 154 (174 balls — 23 fours and a six) by run machine Riley Vernon.
Gisborne welcomed back captain Jarryd Vernon who had been sidelined through injury, and he compiled 55 in ominous signs for opposition bowlers in the finals.
Rupertswood’s slim chance of figuring in the finals would need a remarkable batting performance on the second day’s play.
Top team Woodend encountered more opposition from Broadford batters than in the previous round, with the visitors making 259 with half centuries from Gareth Sharp and Jake Zerella. Warren Else continued his good form with 4-48.
Woodend batters now have the challenge of ensuring they go into the finals on a winning note.
Romsey made 290 against Macedon, highlighted by 93 from free-scoring Thomas Boyer at number four. Taylor Stevenson and Chris Burkett also got among the runs.
Macedon scored 286 in the previous round, and another century from Alex Browne would put the Redbacks under pressure.
Bottom side Sunbury Kangaroos compiled 231 against fourth-placed Sunbury United, with Jason King scoring 100 and paceman Senura Perara capturing 6-68 in the best bowling performance for the day.
GRAND FINALS
There was plenty of action across the five lower grade grand finals played on Saturday.
There was a thriller between Lancefield and Riddell, the two top sides in Jensen 1sts.
After slumping to a shaky 4/17, Lancefield recovered to make 169, then defended the total to win by six runs despite Hayden Castle making an unbeaten 75 for the Bombers.
Man of the match was wicketkeeper Lachlan Mitchell who scored a fine 61 for the Tigers, and combined in a vital partnership with captain-coach Alan Sinclair who made 33.
Malmsbury skipper Matt Cox inspired his side by making 82 and taking three wickets in the Jensen 2nds grand final against Rupertswood.
Playing at Salesian College, Malmsbury compiled 7/194 c.c. From 40 overs, and restricted Rupertswood to 8/161.
Peter Bosanko was the star for Woodend in the Jensen 3rds grand final, compiling an unbeaten 65 and taking three wickets against Sunbury Kangaroos.
Woodend scored 7/169 c.c. And Sunbury Kangaroos could only manage 9/119.
In Club North, Gisborne won a one-sided grand final against Lancefield.
The Dragons scored 224 from their 35 overs, and bundled Lancefield out for 113 in 24.5 overs.
Steven Freeth scored an unbeaten 51 for the winners, and Bailey Freeth made 32 and then captured 4-15.
Harkness, a new club in the GDCA, won the Club South grand final by scoring 6/210 c.c., and dismissing Rupertswood for 125.
ALL THE SCORES
Gisborne District Cricket Association match scores from Saturday include:
McIntyre 1sts: Gisborne 9/409 c.c. (R. Vernon 154, J. Vernon 55) v Rupertswood; Broadford 259 (G. Sharp 57, J. Zerella 57 — W. Else 4-48) v Woodend; Romsey 290 (T. Boyer 93, T. Stevenson 45, C. Burkett 40 — A. Watling 3-37, A, Browne 3-90) v Macedon; Sunbury Kangaroos 231 (J. King 100, S. Stuart — S. Perera 6-68) v Sunbury United.
McIntyre 2nds: Woodend 5/167 c.c. (L. Sheahan 58) d Broadford 84 — Sheahan 3-12); Rupertswood 202 (B. Pearson 76, L. Joyce 55 — C. Jackson 4-17, J. Watson 4-28) d Gisborne 128 J. McKibbin 45); Romsey 7/207 c.c. M. Richardson 69, D. Paterson 30 — E. Ferguson 3-30) d Macedon 152 (M. Wall 42, Ferguson 30 — C. Marienfield 3026, J. Richardson 3-26).
Johnstone 1sts: Eastern Hill 9/155 c.c. D Kilmore 120; East Sunbury 6/107 c.c lost to Wallan 6/108; Aintree 156 d East Sunbury 6/107.
Johnstone 2nds: Eastern Hill 8/130 c.c. D Kilmore 127; Wallan 8/200 c.c. (B. Fowler 56, R. Wittingham 56) d East Sunbury 8/176; Aintree 9/176 d Diggers Rest/Bulla 9/155.
GRAND FINALS
Jensen 1sts — Lancefield 9/169 c.c. d Riddell 6/163; Jensen 2nds — Malmsbury 7/194 d Rupertswood 8/181; Jensen 3rds — Woodend 7/169 d Sunbury Kangaroos 9/119; Club North — Gisborne 224 d Lancefield 113; Club South — Harkness 6/210 d Rupertswood 125.
