The expansion of Gisborne District Cricket Association in recent seasons has produced plenty of positives, but occasional headaches as well.
With heavy rain forecast in some areas on Saturday, the GDCA executive sent an advice memo to all clubs:
“Due to the enormous geographic area that makes up the GDCA we are faced with challenging days like today when the north is going to be okay, but the south is an obvious washout.
“As a result we are not calling off the whole competition.”
The GDCA now stretches from Eastern Hill (Seymour) in the north to Melton South, Eynesbury and Aintree in the south-west.
FIVE WINS, 35 DRAWS!
A frustrating scenario unfolded with the wash-up being 40 scheduled matches — either the second day in top grades or new one-day fixtures in lower ranks — producing five confirmed results and 35 washouts with points shared.
This statistical analysis was subject to confirmation at time of writing, as there were a couple of venues where no outcome had been submitted.
Certainly, there were plenty of venues where no play was possible, all due to persistent rain.
The association advised top grades to attend grounds and await the umpire’s call — which is final.
Where no umpires were officiating, home clubs were urged to contact the opposition about the state of the ground.
If the opposition wish to attend, they can do so, with captains needing to make a reasonable call together.
With rain falling, and threatening to become heavier at some venues, some players and frustrated spectators opted for an enjoyable afternoon watching the televised final day of the Spring Racing Carnival from Flemington.
MACEDON GO DOWN
In McIntyre 1sts, there were four matches drawn and one result — previously unbeaten Macedon sustained a heavy defeat at Broadford.
Set a healthy 228 for victory, the Cats stumbled early against speedster Nathan Woods.
Opener Gareth De Rosayro top scored with 38 and Cam Clayton contributed 24.
Sikander Sharma and Woods each claimed four wickets as the Cats limped to 115.
Broadford made a quick 89 all out (Cam Howlett five wickets and Clayton four), with Macedon reaching 2/42 in seven overs before stumps were drawn.
Romsey did not get a crack at overhauling Wallan’s very reachable 8/154 c.c., Gisborne openers did not face a ball against Sunbury United, and heavy rain in Sunbury prevented Woodend batters showing their skills.
In McIntyre 2nds, all matches were called off apart from the Woodend v Rupertswood encounter played at Kyneton Showgrounds.
The Woodsmen tried hard, but Rupertswood batted for 45 overs to chalk up a winning 6/148 (Greg Matthews 3-39).
Lancefield found the task of defending 105 against Sunbury Kangaroos too tall a task in Johnstone 1sts.
CENTURY TO COX
Eastern Hill’s Billy Cox scored a match winning 114 as his side scored 3/211 from 40 overs at sunny Seymour. Diggers Rest fell 67 runs short of victory in the Johnstone 2nds match.
The curator who worked so hard to ensure the Malmsbury versus Rupertswood Jensen 2nds match could go ahead received a big pat on the back.
Malmsbury was restricted to 9/111 from 40 overs, with just two batters scoring double figures.
Rupertswood lost three wickets in chasing down the target. The other five games in this grade were abandoned.
ALL THE SCORES
McIntyre Cup 1sts: Broadford 9/227 dec. and 89 (J. Nolan 28, R. Nolan 25 — M. Howlett 5-26, C. Clayton 4-36) d Macedon 115 (G. De Rosayro 38 — S. Sharma 4-28, N. Woods 4-35) and 2/42.
Wallan 8/154 c.c. drew with Romsey; Sunbury United 192 drew with Gisborne 0-10; Rupertswood 197 drew with Woodend 0-6.
Johnstone 1sts: Lancefield 105 and 0-23 lost to Sunbury Kangaroos 7/200 dec. (S. Barry 61, R. Phillips 42); Eastern Hill 264 drew with Diggers Rest; East Sunbury 5/252 drew with Eynesbury, Harkness 138 drew wih Kilmore 3/93 (D. Tassone 43 n.o.).
McIntyre 2nds: Woodend 145 lost to Rupertswood 6/148 (G. Matthews 3-39); Macedon 101 drew with Broadford 1/67; Gisborne 203 drew with Sunbury United; Romsey 6/345 drew with Wallan.
Johnstone 2nds: Eastern Hill 3/211 (B. Cox 114, M. Speechley 40, R. Grant 37 n.o.) d Diggers Rest 3/145 (C. Morris 35); Kilmore drew with Harkness; Sunbury Kangaroos drew with Lancefield; East Sunbury drew with Eynesbury.
Jensen 2nds: Malmsbury 9/111 c.c. lost to Rupertswood 3/112. The other five matches were abandoned.
Jensen 3rds: All six matches abandoned.
Club North: Eastern Hill d Lancefield on forfeit. Woodend 2/46 v Malmsbury Green. All other matches abandoned.
Club South: All games abandoned.
GDCA GAMES
The sixth round matches in McIntyre Cup 1sts cricket to be played over November 15 and 22 are:
Gisborne v Wallan.
Romsey v Rupertswood.
Macedon v Woodend.
Sunbury United v Broadford.
