GDCA wrap: Gisborne and Romsey play out epic, while runs flow despite wet weather

Gisborne and Romsey played out a grand final rematch for the ages, decided on the last ball, while a pair of Sunbury United leaders plundered centuries.

Romsey celebrates its win over Gisborne. Picture: Frogbox

The Gisborne District Cricket Association kicked off on Saturday amid high drama.

In a grand final rematch for the ages, Romsey and Gisborne locked horns again.

Despite the rain there were plenty of runs across the competition, two Sunbury United leaders plundering centuries

However, the weather did see three matches abandoned.

Check out all the action and the weekend’s heroes below.

REMATCH DRAMA

In a rain-affected McIntyre Cup grand final rematch, there was certainly plenty of drama. In the season-opener at Sankey Reserve, Romsey claimed a thrilling one-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. It was Gisborne’s first loss since the 2022-23 semi-final, also against Romsey. After being sent in, the Redbacks made 5-165 in 25 overs. Captain-coach Ben Way top-scored with 65 from just 30 balls, while Taylor Stevenson made 53 at the top of the order. Chasing 173, Dragons captain-coach Jarryd Vernon hit 75 from 56 balls but a late collapse proved fatal. Sitting at 3-165, the premiers looked in control before losing 5-6 in a dramatic finish. With six runs needed off Aaron Paterson’s final over, it went like this; X wd X X wd lb wd 1 X. Spencer Jones was run out, Vernon chopped on and Leigh Brennan was bowled for a golden duck. Then, needing two off the final ball, Jayben Bannan was run out as Paterson fielded it off his own bowling and knocked the bails off at the non-strikers end to spark wild celebrations.

TWIN TONS POWER UNITED

Making its McIntyre Cup debut, Broadford would have been rightfully proud of its first innings 8-260 at Langama Park. After winning the toss and batting, Broadford showed it can compete with last year’s semi-finalist. However, the Bees’ class shone in the chase. New coach Fabian Fernando and former captain-coach Upul Fernando both smashed centuries to chase the target down in just 36.2 overs. Fabian finished unbeaten on 101 from 96 balls, hitting eight boundaries and four sixes, while Upul was out for 107 from just 87 balls – smashing 11 fours and a pair of sixes. Fabian also snared 3-45 with the ball in a man-of-the-match performance. Earlier, Connor Stute had hit 77 from 59 balls, while Braden Hickey added 38, to seemingly put the visitors in a strong position. Jack Dillon took 4-43 for United.

DLS RULES IN RUPERTSWOOD’S FAVOUR

Rupertswood captain-coach Matt Twentyman showed out in his return match, leading his club to an 11-run DLS win over Sunbury Kangaroos at Salesian College. Returning from Subbies club Williamstown, Twentyman showed his class with a match-winning 112 and 3-35. Having been sent in, Rupertswood were in all sorts at 3-14 before Twentyman and Max Howell launched a rescue mission, putting on a 164-run fourth-wicket partnership. Twentyman’s knocked lasted 98 balls and included 19 boundaries and a trio of sixes. Howell was out for 54 as the hosts posted 9-259 in 44 overs. Michael Fox, Simon Barry, Adam Fearney and Russell Phillips all took two wickets. In reply, Kangaroos were in a hole of their own before Fox steadied the ship with 61 from 49 balls. Russell Phillips (75) and new skipper Corey Woolley (39 not out) put on a 99-run seventh-wicket stand to get their team close but it wasn’t enough, finishing 8-248 from 41 overs. Joe Honner was Rupo’s leading bowler with 4-59.

WALLAN WELCOMES EASTERN HILL

Gisborne District newcomers Eastern Hill got a tough welcome to the association in Round 1, visiting grand finalist and Johnstone Shield premiership favourite Wallan on Saturday. The Eagles came agonisingly close to an upset win but the Magpies held on for a nervy two-wicket victory with three balls remaining. Eastern Hill won the toss and decided to bat but were in trouble from the start, falling to 5-90. Matt Collard and Rory Kennedy then put on a 92-run sixth-wicket partnership to give their bowlers something to defend. Collard top-scored with 71 from 65 balls, while Kennedy finished 33 not out as Eastern Hill posted 6-188. Wallan were also in early trouble at 4-34 before Ryan Cumberland (63) and Jack Mifsud (34) steadied the ship with a 74-run fifth-wicket stand. The Magpies were behind the eight-ball at 7-135 and still needed 23 when Cumberland fell at 8-166. However, Josh Mullavey-Clark (17no) and Campbell Fowler (15no) were the heroes, guiding their club home.

ABANDONED

McIntyre Cup

Woodend v Macedon

Johnstone Shield

East Sunbury v Eynesbury

Kilmore v Aintree

The Jensen Shield begins on Saturday.