GDCA 2018-19: Romsey out to build on McIntyre Cup finals return
ROMSEY is intent on proving its return to McIntyre Cup finals was not a flash in the pan as it chases its first premiership since 1983.
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ROMSEY is intent on proving its return to McIntyre Cup finals was not a flash in the pan as it chases its first premiership since 1983.
Under the leadership of skipper Ben Way, the club ended an eight-year finals hiatus in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association top grade last summer.
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Romsey has retained the core of the team which had eventual premier Bacchus Marsh on the ropes in a semi-final and has welcomed back talented leg-spin bowling all-rounder Matthew Milne from Carlton.
The club recorded its second win in three rounds over last season’s runner-up Woodend on Saturday, prevailing by four wickets with five balls to spare after being set 159 for victory.
“It got down to the last over, but we never panicked,” Way said.
“It was one of those days where as a batting team, chasing 150, you have got to back yourself.
“We have got a pretty good batting team to go out there and get the job done, which we did.”
After being skittled for 93 by Gisborne in Round 2, Romsey returned to form with the bat as Chris Burkett (41), Way (35) and Sean Day (27) lifted their side to third on the table.
Milne was the star with the ball, snaring 4-27 from eight overs as Woodend lost its last six wickets for 31 runs.
Romsey took five rounds to claim its first victory in 2017-18, but rallied to pip Gisborne to fourth by 1.38 points and play finals for the first time since 2009-10.
“After losing the first four in a row and building a strong season from then on, even our performance in the final, we had a lot of players stand up,” Way said.
“It definitely gives us confidence that whichever situation we are in now going forward to back ourselves and be very competitive.
“We’re expecting to win every game we go out to play.”
Brett Warner topscored for Woodend with 38, while opener Josh Eastley contributed 29.
Bacchus Marsh (6-210) defeated Sunbury United (9-187) by 23 runs to sit clear on top, while Wallan was 2-30 chasing Sunbury’s 133 when their fixture was washed out.
Diggers Rest Bulla and Gisborne’s match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
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