A wrap of the Round 1 action in the Gisborne District Cricket Association

Romsey skipper Ben Way and paceman Taylor Stevenson helped the Redbacks stun last season’s grand finalist Diggers Rest Bulla as the GDCA season kicked off on Saturday. Get a wrap of all the action here.

Romsey captain-coach Ben Way in action.

Romsey kicked off the GDCA season in style on Saturday, completing a stunning upset win over last season’s grand finalist Diggers Rest Bulla.

Redbacks spinner Taylor Stevenson helped rout the Burras after captain-coach Ben Way’s fighting half-century had earlier anchored the batting to ensure his team posted a defendable total.

Way top scored with 57 as the home team finished 174 all out in 39.3 overs.

Stevenson (3-7), Adam Frost (2-11 and Darin Jewell (2-11) then ripped through the Diggers Rest Bulla line-up. The Burras skittled for 74 in just 27.1 overs.

Way said it was proof his team could match it with the McIntyre Shield’s big teams and would give his men plenty of confidence moving forward.

Taylor Stevenson in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

“With the one-dayers it’s important to pick up early wins if we can, it will take the pressure off later in the year,” he said.

“Early wins will go a long way to setting us up for the finals.

“We’ve got some really good young players with bat and ball, so we’re confident as a club that we’re on the right path.

“Going into next week, confidence is a big thing and if you can string a few early wins together everyone starts believing.”

After winning the toss and batting at Romsey Recreation Reserve, Way walked to the crease with his team in trouble at 4-55.

However, 26-run partnership with Nathan Hoy steadied the ship before a 55-run stand with Jewell put the Redbacks in a strong position.

“They were good partnerships, I didn’t bat particularly well, but we got the job done in the end,” Way said.

“In any cricket, partnerships are really important and they got us from what could have been 120 to 170.”

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Diggers Rest Bulla got off to a horror start, falling to 2-22 and 4-33 as Frost, Jewell and Stevenson went to work.

The visitors never recovered with Blake Robinson (23) and Jacob Grant (11) the only batsmen to reach double figures.

“They kept it tight, the pressure builds when the opposition isn’t keeping up with the run-rate, and they got the rewards,” Way said of his attack.

“There’s no draws in one-day cricket, they came out playing shots but we managed to keep the runs down and then they had to keep going, they gave us chances and we took them.”

Dilan Chandima in action for Sunbury United. Picture: Andy Brownbill

SUNBURY UNITED v WOODEND

Sunbury United opener Dilan Chandima has repaid the club’s faith in him with a match-winning century against Woodend on Saturday.

The run-scoring machine had signed with Avondale Heights for its senior return to the VTCA but the comeback venture failed to launch.

Instead, Chandima returned to the Bees and made an instant impact in the season opener, helping set up the 164-run win at Langama Park.

The opener blasted an unbeaten 143 in a 100-ball masterclass that included 12 fours and six sixes.

Ryan Billinghurst added 51 as Sunbury United piled on 3-289.

The chase proved too much for Woodend, which reached 9-125 in its 40 overs.

Captain Warren Else top-scored with 30.

The Bees saw a large turnover of players over the off-season.

Amrit Sandhu and Rajitha Mendis were two of seven changes from the team that playing a semi-final last season.

The pair didn’t disappoint on debut, ripping through the Woodend line-up with figures of 4-12 and 3-17 respectively.

BACCHUS MARSH v EAST SUNBURY

An Alex Porter century inspired Bacchus Marsh to a 58-run victory over McIntyre Shield newcomer East Sunbury on Saturday.

Porter and captain-coach James Lidgett (45) put on a 75-run opening stand to set up the innings before the Bulls were dismissed for 210 in the final over.

East Sunbury paceman Nathan Dent was the pick of the bowler, finishing with 3-38.

Eyeing an upset win, the Thunder got off to a strong start, reaching 0-55 before Steve Grey fell for 31.

However, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter and quickly fell behind the required run-rate.

East Sunbury did bat out its 40 overs, finishing 8-142.

Off-season recruit Jared Taylor was Bacchus Marsh’s leading bowler with figures of 4-25.