What a weekend of McIntyre 1sts semi-finals! Gisborne captain-coach Jarryd Vernon hit a masterly 217 not out on Saturday to virtually put Romsey out of the reckoning.
And top team Woodend appeared to be cruising, though very slowly, towards a grand final berth before an inexplicable and monumental batting collapse saw the last eight wickets tumble for 37 runs.
The outcome is hot flag favourite Gisborne play Sunbury United on neutral territory at Macedon in the 2024-25 grand final this Saturday and Sunday.
Sent in at Gardiner Reserve, Gisborne lost Spencer Jones and Will Mackay early, but Romsey’s attack was thwarted by the formidable Vernon brothers in a third-wicket stand of nearly 100 runs.
Riley Vernon departed for 60 (10 fours) and keeper-bat Matt Barake joined his captain, Jarryd Vernon, at the crease.
They added 180 runs for the fourth wicket to put the Dragons well on top.
Barake’s 81 (130 balls) was followed by Warren Kelly being run out.
Vernon stepped up the tempo after tea with a full array of shots, having some good fortune to be dropped off a no-ball.
Romsey used eight different bowlers and after 80 overs the home side had 6/407 on the board.
Jarryd Vernon’s 217 not out (243 balls, 17 fours and five sixes) must rate as one of the finest innings ever played in the GDCA. A case of leading by example.
The 30-year-old left-hander felt the aches and pains overnight after 76 overs at the crease, but there’s no doubt he has many more centuries left.
The 217 not out becomes Gisborne’s highest ever individual score in McIntyre Cup, breaking Riley Vernon’s 210 tally.
Logan Collins 2-52 and Aaron Paterson 2-92 were Romsey’s multiple wicket-takers.
Romsey’s slim hope of making a successful run chase on Sunday vanished early when four wickets tumbled.
Paceman Leigh Brennan captured three of them.
It was left to Redbacks captain-coach Ben Way and quality bat Chris Burkett to put on a useful fifth-wicket partnership, but the run rate required seemed well out of reach.
Way was trapped lbw for 51 and Burkett contributed 43, with Thomas Boyer making 19 in a total of 156.
Eight batters failed to reach double figures, and Brennan 4-36 was the pick of the bowlers, with each Vernon claiming two wickets.
Gisborne has scored over 400 runs in its last three matches, but Jarryd Vernon is not underestimating grand final opponent Sunbury United.
“We will need to be at our best … building partnerships is really important,” he said.
WOODEND ON TOP, BUT …
The other semi-final at Gilbert Gordon Oval was one where Woodend was on top when Joe Monk dismissed dangerous United opener Fabian Fernando for a ‘duck’.
But how things can change.
In summary, Woodend was extremely pleased to dismiss United for a moderate 165 in 64.5 overs on Saturday, with evergreen Warren Else superb with a career-best 7-38 from 23 consecutive overs.
Liam Sherlock 44, Ryan Billinghurst 38, and captain Damian Edwards 35 were the main scorers for United.
Woodend reached 1/24 on Saturday evening, Harry Lawson caught for 11 just before stumps.
Making another 141 for victory on Sunday may have looked to be a cakewalk to many supporters, but runs were rather scarce, as were wickets.
Just before tea, Woodend was in the box seat at 2/87, but the dismissal of Harry Sheahan for 36 and captain Marcus Stewart 13 lifted United’s spirits.
On resumption, the Woodsmen were jolted as Hayden Ingleton, Else and Josh Eastley were dismissed for one run between them.
United kept up the pressure, and a run out was almost the final straw. Then Xavier Tadd was caught for 15.
It was hard to believe Woodend was all out for 124 (73.2) overs after being in such a strong position.
United’s hero was veteran paceman James Hughes, with 4-42 from 27 overs. from four overs, Chris Strods claimed 2-0, and Pulinda Kiriella also took two wickets.
Now United has a premiership chance, and Woodend can only look to next season.
