GDCA 2018-19: Warren Else makes 106 in Woodend’s loss to Romsey
Woodend’s six-game unbeaten run came to an end as it fell just 13 runs short of completing a successful run chase against Romsey.
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Woodend’s six-game unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday as it fell just 14 runs short of completing a successful run chase against Romsey.
The result has left one of the form teams of GDCA McIntyre Cup needing to win away against fifth-placed Diggers Rest Bulla to contest finals.
The Woodsmen are just 2.72 clear of the Burras ahead of the final-round clash, with Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne and Romsey occupying the top-three positions.
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“The confidence has been building the last six rounds, particularly since Christmas,” Woodend coach Coach Greg Matthews said.
“We have shown that if we put it together, we can mix it with the best teams in the competition.”
Needing 329 for victory on Saturday, Woodend progressed to 1-56 before losing four wickets for just 14 runs.
Skipper Warren Else and youngster Jack Thorsen (39) put on 75, but when the seventh wicket fell with more than 160 runs left, the game looked over.
However English recruit Monte McCague (78) had other ideas.
The son of former English fast bowler Martin McCague clouted 11 boundaries and two sixes to post his highest score for the club.
But after a partnership of 133 and with just 30 needed, Darin Jewell (5-54) captured the vital breakthrough, as Woodend was bowled out for 315.
Else remained unbeaten on 106 after running out of partners.
The captain has found form at the right time of season, making 262 runs at 87.33 since Christmas.
“It was just unfortunate those two guys couldn’t see us through,” Matthews said.
“We have been batting well of late so we were confident of winning the match, so it was disappointing to get ourselves into a difficult spot,
“But in saying that a few of our batters batted really well — they really knuckled down to get us back in the game.
“We need to win to make finals and we give ourselves every chance.”
Elsewhere, Upul Fernando’s 81 guided Diggers Rest Bulla (220) to an important win against Gisborne (193).
Joshua McDonald (3-41), Jakson Knight (3-53) and Jason Wilson (3-24) led the way for the losing side.
In the battle of the bottom two teams, Sunbury completed an outright win against Wallan to ensure its survival in the top flight.
Resuming on day two needing 10 runs with just two wickets in hand, Jason McGann (35 not out) helped Sunbury take a 39-run first-innings lead.
With nothing to lose, the home team made a rapid 7-141 in its second innings before declaring — thanks predominantly to skipper Kieran Atkin (83) — setting Sunbury 103 for victory.
The visitors slumped to 4-32 before Jacob Caruana (43 not out) and Craig Ballinger (34 not out) guided their team home.
Alex Porter scored a career-best 161 not out as Bacchus Marsh (4-348) thumped Sunbury United (159).
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