GDCA 2018-19: Bacchus Marsh defeats Gisborne in grand final

A Bacchus Marsh outfit which had led the McIntyre Cup pack all season proved too strong for Gisborne in the GDCA decider.

Gisborne’s Brook Grumont watches the ball closely. Picture: Rob Leeson.

A Bacchus Marsh outfit which had led the McIntyre Cup pack all season proved too strong for Gisborne in the GDCA decider at the weekend.

The Dragons were plucky in defeat, setting a target of 205 for victory, but the Bulls’ batting depth proved decisive in the six-wicket triumph.

“We just got beaten by a better side,” Gisborne coach Glenn Waites said.

“You’re disappointed you don’t get the chocolates, but hats off to Bacchus Marsh, they just outplayed us.”

The Dragons had a whiff of victory during Sunday’s play after taking three quick wickets with 80 runs still to get, but the home side held firm under pressure.

“We had a moment — we got the breakthrough, put them under a lot of pressure with maidens, but they were good enough to see it through,” Waites said.

“I’m proud of our boys.”

Gisborne’s Jakson Knight jumps on the front foot. Picture:Rob Leeson.

Gisborne skipper Jarryd Vernon made a dramatic return, playing his first game in three months after recovering from a hand injury, and played an important hand in stabilising the innings at Maddingley Park after his team stumbled to 3-43.

Darren Ward (19) had been the only batsman among the top three to make double figures, before Vernon (32) and Jason Wilson offered resistance.

Wilson faced 215 balls during his marathon innings, top-scoring with 62 in tough conditions on a slow outfield to post his third half-century in four hits.

He also enjoyed a 78-run fifth-wicket partnership with Daniel Trevilian, dismissed as the Dragons were bowled out for 204 in the 98th over.

James Bailey backed up his four-wicket haul in the semi-final to finish with 5-53, while Rhys Watson also took 3-38 for Bacchus Marsh.

In reply, Jay King (3-45) secured the crucial scalp of Alex Porter (9) early.

Peter Lalor and skipper James Lidgett (38) then added 95 together to give the home side a commanding advantage

However, when Recordo Gordon (1-38) broke through, the visitors had a sniff.

Daniel Lalor was dismissed for a duck and when opener Lalor (64) fell soon after, Gisborne had reduced Bacchus to 4-125.

But Milinda Sepala and (60 not out) Scott Wakefield (27 not out) steadied again to guide the Bulls to victory in the 80th over.

Whether the Dragons can regather and challenge for a McIntyre Cup premiership next season will rest on the club’s younger players, Waites said.

“We finished runner-up, so we’re not too sour,” he said.

“It is a young crew still coming through.

“Hopefully we can keep most of the boys and go a step more next year.

“The boys are devastated, so hopefully they can rebound in the fashion you’d expect.”