Gisborne and Macedon were the A-grade scene stealers in the second round of McIntyre Cup cricket on Saturday.
At Gardiner Reserve, Romsey looked to be in a strong position after Taylor Stevenson dismissed the prolific scoring Vernon brothers.
From 3/57, Matt Barake 72 and Warren Kelly 61 seized the initiative and carried the score to 194 before the next wicket fell.
Gisborne showed plenty of batting depth and rattled up an imposing 8/286 from 45 overs, with Brenton Cook 42 and Jarrod Catania 31 scoring quickly.
The Dragons hit 10 sixes and 27 fours from 45 overs.
Could the Redbacks emulate their big run chase in the first round?
This time opening batters Stevenson and Tom Boyer were out cheaply, but the prize wicket was the run out of Romsey coach Ben Way.
No way back for the Redbacks, and they were dismissed for 186, 100 in arrears. Matt Burkett top scored with 58 before being dismissed by Catania.
HOWLETT, CLAYTON RUN HOT
Macedon stunned regular finalist Sunbury United with courageous cricket on United’s home ground.
The heroes for the Cats were captain Cameron Howlett and all-rounder Cameron Clayton.
Batting first, Macedon scored 5/236 c.c. with Howlett 99 not out (12 fours) and Clayton a hard hitting 69.
After dismissing United’s Upul Fernando for a run-a-ball half century, Macedon fought hard and put the home side under pressure, being bowled out for 215 in the 43rd over.
Clayton claimed 3-36 and Howlett a remarkable 4-5 with all his victims clean bowled!
After a big first round win, Woodend continued to impress by winning easily at Wallan.
The home side was dismissed for 118 in 39.4 overs with Bryan Vance making 48 and James Morley taking 3-24.
Woodend replied with 2/121 (captain Marcus Stewart 52 not out, L. Sheahan 31, Ollie Price 27 not out).
In the remaining match, Broadford struggled to reach 116 (Riley Nolan 41) and Rupertswood cruised to 1/120 (Kevin Barker 72 not out).
This Saturday’s third round matches are:
Macedon v Romsey.
Woodend v Sunbury United.
Broadford v Gisborne.
Rupertswood v Wallan.
ALL THE SCORES:
McIntyre Cup 1sts: Gisborne 8/286 c.c. d Romsey 176, Macedon 5/236 c.c. d Sunbury United 215, Wallan 118 lost to Woodend 2/121, Broadford 9/116 lost to Rupertswood 1/120.
Johnstone 1sts: Lancefield 9/150 c.c. lost to East Sunbury 9/152, Eastern Hill 6/226 c.c. d Harkness 106, Eynesbury 173 lost to Kilmore 8/177, Diggers Rest 8/190 c.c. d Sunbury Kangaroos 153.
McIntyre 2nds: Macedon 96 lost to Sunbury United 4/99, Romsey 5/210 c.c. d Gisborne 9/128, Wallan 178 lost to Woodend 2/182.
Johnstone 2nds: East Sunbury 7/242 c.c. d Lancefield 79, Kilmore 8/106 c.c. lost to Eynesbury 2/108 c.c., Diggers Rest 2/245 c.c. d Sunbury Kangaroos 6/98, Eastern Hill 8/167 c.c. d Harkness 146.
Jensen 2nds: Gisborne 124 d Hanging Rock 122, Riddell 7/238 d Malmsbury 177, Sunbury United 5/143 c.c. lost to Rupertswood 6/145, Woodend d Blackwood on forfeit., Romsey 8/239 c.c. d Macedon 92.
Jensen 3rds: Melton 5/184 c.c. d Kilmore 106, Sunbury 6/138 c.c. lost to Melton South 1/140, Diggers Rest 138 lost to Aintree 3/139, Melton South 6/225 d Sunbury 6/138.
Club North: Woodend 6/197 c.c. d Hanging Rock 9/190, Romsey 7/167 d Eastern Hill 8/148, Lancefield 35 lost to Wallan 3/38, Gisborne 6/158 c.c. d Kyneton 9/136.
Club South: Woodend 159 lost to Melton Centrals 6/161, Melton 159 d Eynesbury 34, Melton South 7/215 c.c. d Sunbury United 6/166, Bacchus Marsh 9/113 d Gisborne 108, Sunbury 4/119 d East Sunbury 115, Diggers Rest 9/180 lost to Rupertswood 8/183.
