Gisborne District ponders McIntyre Shield expansion in 2021-22 season
Diggers Rest Bulla will not be relegated from the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s top flight McIntyre Shield with an expansion being considered for 2021-22.
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Diggers Rest Bulla will not be relegated from GDCA McIntyre Shield this season despite its one-win season.
The Gisborne District Cricket Association confirmed the decision this week and is instead considering expanding the top flight competition to 10 teams in 2021-22.
The McIntyre Shield was an eight-team competition in 2019-20 but the relegation of Riddell and requested demotion of St Anthony’s saw seven teams compete this season with a weekly bye.
The second tier Johnstone Shield premier is guaranteed promotion and two more teams could be invited to step up for next season.
GDCA president Rob McIntyre said the league was also surveying players and clubs about the format of next season’s competition.
“We could look at going back to 10 teams per division, we’re not sure yet,” he said.
“We’ll work through it in the next month or so but there are three teams in the Johnstone Shield that could be invited into McIntyre and just go 10 teams all the way through the grades.
“We’re also looking at the make up of next year with two- and one-day games, we’ve got a survey out with our players now and we’ll see what the responses are as to what format they want to play.
“The one-dayers have been a success because they’ve allowed more players to play … but we’ll see what the survey says and work with our clubs.
“With COVID, the way things have happened this year, it’s given us a chance to regroup and where we want to go moving forward.”
It was a dramatic fall for Diggers Rest Bulla, who reached the grand final last season.
The Burras finished equal in points with two-win Woodend but finished seventh on percentage.
Bacchus Marsh claimed the minor premiership and will face reigning premier Gisborne in Saturday’s semi-final, while Sunbury United and Romsey will clash in the other semi-final.
Rupertswood finished on top of the Johnstone Shield ladder ahead of Sunbury Kangaroos, Bacchus Marsh’ Second XI and Wallan.
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Romsey’s Second XI, Macedon, East Sunbury’s Second XI and Kyneton will battle it out for the third tier Jensen Shield premiership.
Sunbury United’s Dilan Chandima claimed the McIntyre Shield batting title after a brilliant campaign that saw him score 749 runs at an average of 149.80 with four centuries.
Bacchus Marsh star Jared Taylor topped the wicket-taking charts with 21 scalps at an average of 12.29 despite playing only nine games.
The GDCA Sullivan Medal awards night is expected to be held on March 31.
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