Powerhouse Gisborne dominated much of the McIntyre Cup grand final against Sunbury United at the weekend, before a sudden burst of three wickets in the space of four runs from Fabian Fernando brought the contest alive.
In the semi-final against Romsey, Gisborne captain-coach Jarryd Vernon made a brilliant unbeaten 217 and Matt Barake 81 … yet on Sunday they both departed for ‘ducks’ as the Dragons slumped to 5/68 in pursuit of 122 for victory.
Thoughts of how they secured 8/37 to destroy Woodend in the other semi-final gave United hope of pulling off another upset against the odds.
Gisborne supporters were on edge for quite a few overs, but unflappable 18-year-old Will Mackay and very experienced batter Warren Kelly combined in a near half-century stand to put the Dragons very close to victory.
Kelly was bowled for an invaluable 31 and Mackay went on to finish unbeaten on 38 from 129 balls.
Mackay, a young tradesman who came up through Gisborne’s junior ranks, received the Man of the Match medal from Gisborne District Cricket Association legend Gary Sanders.
With a very sound defence, Mackay was the ideal batter to blunt United’s desperate push for more wickets.
Macedon was again pleased to host the grand final, and Gisborne was very pleased to earn back-to-back flags.
DECIDED ON SATURDAY
The grand final was virtually decided on Saturday, with United’s decision to bat in dull conditions failing to pay off.
Captain Damien Edwards was dismissed early by left-arm speedster Joshua Wills, and finals specialist Leigh Brennan was soon among the wickets.
The only sustained resistance came from veteran Upul Fernando. He compiled 54, but Gisborne bowled and fielded at a level that proved too much for their opponents.
United’s 121 all out was disappointing, as Brennan finished with 4-37 and Wills and the Vernon brothers claimed two wickets each.
Gisborne went to stumps at 2/38 in reply, with openers Riley Vernon and Spencer Jones dismissed.
On Sunday, Gisborne reached 64 without further loss, then the drama erupted with talented all-rounder Fabian Fernando capturing three quick wickets.
Fernando was playing in the grand final after facing the independent tribunal earlier in the week on a disputing a decision charge arising from the semi-final.
The outcome was he will miss the first three Saturdays next season, but was permitted to take his place in the grand final.
It was then a case of Mackay and Kelly to the rescue — Fernando finished with 4-29.
“You started very slowly, and came home like a steam train,” GDCA president Simon Overden said at the official presentations of premiership medals and the silver cup.
He also commended United on reaching the grand final and putting up a strong contest. Umpires were also thanked.
Edwards commended Gisborne as an ‘unbelievable outfit’, and said his side hoped to be back in the finals again next season.
‘LOTS OF SUPPORT’
Jarryd Vernon warmly thanked Gisborne’s players and supporters.
He said there had been a lot of support on and off the field, and everyone had worked very hard at practise to perform well as a team.
Jarryd was emphatic he would be back again next year, and hinted the overseas players who had joined the club this season may return again.
He acknowledged he had enjoyed the challenge of coaching, in addition to being captain. Golf will occupy some of his recreation time this winter.
Riley Vernon and Spencer Jones are heading to play with an English side next week.
McINTYRE CUP
GRAND FINAL
SCOREBOARD
SUNBURY UNITED 1st innings
D. Edwards c Kelly b Wills ………… 1
F. Fernando c MacKay b Brennan ……. 16
L. Sherlock c Kelly b Wills ………………2
U. Fernando c Carroll b Brennan …… 54
R. Billinghurst b Brennan …………5
S. Fogarty lbw R. Vernon ………….6
J. Beever b J. Vernon ………………………5
S. Perera lbw R. Vernon ……………………3
C. Strods not out ……………………………. 16
J. Hughes b J. Vernon ………………………..3
P. Kiriella c ? b Brennan …………………..0
Extras ……………………………………………… 10
TOTAL ………………… 121 (66.3 overs)
Bowling: J. Wills 2-27(14 overs), L. Brennan 4-37 (14.3), J. Vernon 2-24 (23), R. Vernon 2-25 (15).
GISBORNE 1st innings
S. Jones c Perera b Hughes ……………. 7
R. Vernon c Edwards b Perera …………… 17
W. Mackay not out …………………………..38
H. Luxmoore c Edwards b F. Fernando ……. 17
J. Vernon c U. Fernando b F. Fernando ….. 0
M. Barake lbw F. Fernando …………….0
W. Kelly b F. Fernando ………… 31
S.Carroll not out ………….. 6
Extras … 6
TOTAL 6/122 (51.4 overs).
Bowling: P. Kiriella 0-18 (7), J. Hughes 1-43 (14), S. Perera 1-23 (19), C. Strods 0-4 (2), F. Fernando 4-29 (7.4), D. Edwards 0-2 (2).
