Centuries to Matt Milne, Ben Way and Josh Wallace as Romsey piles on the runs
Matt Milne and Ben Way scored centuries and Romsey racked up a near First XI record, while the Redbacks also piled on the runs in the Second XI.
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Romsey batters feasted on Rupertswood bowlers on Saturday, racking up 776 runs across the First and Second XIs.
The Redbacks almost set a new record in the Firsts, as Matt Milne and Ben Way scored centuries, posting 9-444 at Salesian College.
The Seconds almost matched the feat, racking up 6-332 as Josh Wallace reached the ton, against the ladder-leading Sharks.
Way, second on the GDCA McIntyre Cup run-scoring charts before the weekend, blazed 128 from just 81 balls, while Milne’s more patient 119 came from 197 deliveries.
Sean Day (40), Chris Burkett (39) and Jed Richardson (31) also made solid contributions.
Way said it was “one of those days” as he hit nine boundaries and seven sixes.
“I know we got maybe 480 a few years back but we’d batted the day before, so I reckon this would be close to the most runs in one day of cricket,” Way said.
“Milney and the top-four batters set up the day, it was great for Milne.
“I think he’s made 300 runs before the innings on the weekend, so it was great to see him building on what he’s been doing and get a big score.
“It was a great effort in the heat, to bat for four hours under the helmet in those conditions, and he hit some really good shots.
“I came in and was able to play my shots with freedom because those guys at the top did all the hard work.
“I might have been 30 off 30 at one stage and when you’re in a strong position you keep playing your shots and it was one of those days where when I played a big shot it came out of the middle.”
On a difficult day, Max Howell was Rupertswood’s best bowler, finishing with 4-116 from 18 overs.
Meanwhile, Wallace smashed a stunning 105 not out (retired) from just 61 balls – belting eight fours and five sixes – to put the Second XI in an equally commanding position.
Jack Rees (66) and Matt Hoyt (57) also scored half-centuries.
Romsey sits second on the ladder in both competitions.
Way said the club was well positioned to defend its McIntyre Cup title but would not be losing focus with two rounds remaining.
“Anything over 300 is a good score but we’re trying to put complete performances together, so not just getting by with the ball but bowling really well,” he said.
“Hopefully we can hit the right areas and take our chances and put another win on the board.
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“It looks like (a two-horse race) on paper but going into finals last year Gisborne were undefeated and we rolled them in the semi.
“So at the end of the year it doesn’t matter if you’re undefeated or 15 points clear, if you don’t perform then you’re out.”
On a high-scoring weekend in McIntyre Cup, Sunbury Kangaroos posted 8-351 against Macedon thanks to Jason King’s 122 and Fabian Fernando tallied 128 in Sunbury United’s 7-303 against Gisborne.
Diggers Rest Bulla was held to 159 all out by Woodend, which is 2-77 in reply.
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