Catch up on the major talking points from the weekend’s Gisborne District action

A new round kicked off in the Gisborne District with plenty of highlight performances, including some late-order heroics and an unstoppable run-machine.

There were highlights aplenty in the Gisborne District Cricket Association this week.

Two-day games kicked off in the McIntyre and Johnstone Shields, while there was a one-day fixture in the Jensen.

While Bryan Vance is scoring runs for fun, there were tail-enders’ heroics and all-round solo performances.

Check out all the major talking points from the weekend’s action below.

Ned Crotty in action for Rupertswood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Rupertswood’s Joe Honner. Picture: Andy Brownbill

TAIL-ENDER SAVES RUPO BLUSHES

Gisborne is in the box seat for first innings points against Rupertswood at Salesian College. However, the Dragons might have already wrapped the points up if not for a fighting knock from Rupo’s Ned Crotty. The Sharks were in deep trouble when Crotty walked to the crease at No.7 before he plundered an impressive 72 from 97 balls to revive the innings. He smashed 12 boundaries and a six. No other teammate scored more than 18 as Rupo were dismissed for 147. Gisborne skipper Jarryd Vernon was the main destroyer with 4-30, while Darcy Thomas snared 3-21. The Dragons are 3-90 in reply with Will Mackay (31no) and Riley Vernon (25no) at the crease.

Deegan Campbell charges in for Rupertswood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Darcy Thomas rolls the arm over for Gisborne. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Gisborne’s Rahul Singh. Picture: Andy Brownbill

VANCE UNSTOPPABLE?

We think Bryan Vance may have taken Wallan’s relegation to Johnstone Shield personally. The Wallan skipper has destroyed opposition attacks in the early rounds of the season. Eynesbury was the latest to feel his wrath on Saturday as he plundered a superb 163 not out, smashing 20 boundaries. The star bat now has 391 runs in four knocks with previous scores of 52no, 123no and 53no. Spencer Whittingham added 78 as Wallan posted a daunting 3-323 at Greenhill Reserve.

DAY, WAY PUT ROMSEY ON TOP

Romsey racked up the runs against Macedon on Saturday, compiling a daunting 6-302 at Romsey Reserve. It came on the back of a patient 86 not out from Corey Day and a blistering 72 from 63 balls from skipper Ben Way. Day was at the crease for 133 balls and hit seven boundaries, while Way pounded six boundaries and a six in his stay. Openers Taylor Stevenson (43) and Matt Milne (42) got the Redbacks off to a strong start, setting a platform for Way and Day. Cats’ captain Daniel Trotta (2-46) and Chris Ingleton (2-69) were the visitors’ best with the ball.

WRIGHT STEPS UP FOR BEES

A critical 61 from Sunbury United No.7 Aaron Wright might just be the difference if the Bees come away with a victory against Diggers Rest Bulla. Wright’s late runs were pivotal as United were dismissed for 238 at Bloomdale Oval on Saturday. Bees skipper Upul Fernando (51) and Amrit Sandhu (44) also made strong contributions. Alex Hassett was the main man with the ball for Diggers, taking 4-29 from 16 overs, to have the game evenly poised heading into the second week.

Amrit Sandhu shoulders arms for Sunbury United. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunbury United’s Upul Fernando keeps his eye on the ball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Stephen Morris in action for Diggers Rest Bulla. Picture: Andy Brownbill

CULLEN FINDING FEET FOR WOODEND

Andrew Cullen has had a quiet start to life at Woodend, scoring 69 in his first four matches, but the local cricket great finally found his rhythm on Saturday. The eight-time Yarraville Club VTCA premiership player scored 56 as the Hawks posted 8-243 on day one of the McIntyre Shield clash against Sunbury Kangaroos at Gilbert Gordon Oval. Cullen’s was one of three half-centuries, together with skipper Marcus Stewart’s 73 and fellow opener Harry Lawson’s 50. Adam Fearnley (3-35) and Mace Green (3-37) were the Kangaroos’ best with the ball.

STUTE, WOOD FUEL BROADFORD

Half-centuries to Connor Stute (56) and Ash Wood (55) have Broadford well placed in their Johnstone Shield two-day clash against East Sunbury at John McMahon Reserve. Stute spent 121 balls at the crease and hit five boundaries in a patient knock, while Wood was a little more upbeat, hitting seven fours and a six in his 78-ball stay. Taylor Shell (36), Kyle Hopkins (24) and Jeremy Brayshaw (20) added critical late runs as Broadford went to stumps at 8-223. Thunder skipper Nathan Dent was the leading bowler, taking 3-40, while Nathan Hynes and Jay Brockman picked up a couple each.

ALL-ROUNDER FIRES AINTREE

It was a big day for Kapilmeet Singh Sandhu in Aintree’s Jensen Shield one-day win over Melton South on Saturday. The Stallions gun top-scored with the bat, scoring 60 runs, to help his team post 2-239 at Mt Carberry Reserve. Sandhu then turn destroyer with the ball, snaffling 4-8 from four overs. He picked up four of the final five wickets as South was skittled for 92 and seal a 147-run win. Paramjit Singh (41), Gurinder Sohal (43) and Abhishek Garhwal (35) also made contributions with the bat for Aintree, while Anthony Yates 34 was Melton South’s best scorer.

LANCEFIELD ROMP HOME

Hanging Rock was sent in at Lancefield Park and struggled to 8-134 from its 40 overs. No.7 batter Tom Place top-scored with 35m while Steven Zubrycki added 26. Alan Sinclair was the leading wicket-taker with a miserly 3-12 from eight overs. The home side then made light work of the run chase, wrapping up the win with 15 overs to spare and seal a commanding nine-wicket win. Vaughn McClure (66 not out) and Callum Sankey (65 not out) made it look easy after losing Mark Caton for just one early on.