Pair of imports, local talent to fuel Gisborne’s GDCA McIntyre Cup premiership defence

Gisborne welcomes a pair of UK imports as it prepares to defend its GDCA McIntyre Cup crown and the Dragons expect their young local talent to take another big step too.

Wilhem Mackay in action for Gisborne. Picture: Hamish Blair

A pair of UK imports will arrive to boost Gisborne’s GDCA McIntyre Cup premiership defence.

The Dragons will only get stronger after last season’s success, welcoming Josh Wills and all-rounder Josh Brown from Cumbria.

Wills, 19, is a left-arm paceman from Netherfield, who played alongside Gisborne run-machine Riley Vernon.

Brown, 18, is an all-rounder who made his County debut during the English summer, finishing with 3-61 and 13 runs against Lincolnshire.

Premiership spearhead Jay King is the only departure, having hung up the boots.

Jarryd Vernon will add First XI coach to his captaincy duties this season.

He said it was exciting to add a pair of internationals to the ever-growing local talent.

“We obviously picked up the two guys from the UK and Sammy Carroll,” Vernon said.

“Adding those guys to the squad only strengthens it and we’ve still got a young talent in our side too, a lot of young local talent.

“Hopefully we’ll be around the mark again.

“We’ve had a long pre-season, we started on the 31st of July, but got a lot of good sessions in.

“The younger guys coming through the Twos will have another pre-season under the belt, which will only strengthen the Second XI and they can push for First XI selection.

“We’ve just finished a session at The Junction Oval, so the boys should be in good shape for Round 1 against Romsey.”

Gisborne faces Romsey in a season-opening one-dayer at Sankey Reserve on Saturday.

The Dragons were too good for the Redbacks in last season’s decider, chasing down 212 for a six-wicket win.

Riley Vernon topped the league run-scoring charts with 1129 runs at an average of 80.64, scoring 92 in the grand final win.

Jarryd Vernon finished with 921 runs, Warren Kelly 602 and youngster Wil McKay 339.

Leigh Brennan led the attack with 23 wickets, while Jarryd Vernon snared 19, Riley 18 and Jay King 16.

The skipper expected the club’s youngsters to take another step up this season as rivals look to bring them down.

“We’ve been lucky enough to be the hunted over a period of time,” Vernon said.

“I spoke about it with the guys in the First XI squad and they are prepared to have that tag.

“The boys are raring to go against Romsey, obviously a grand final rematch.

“The young kids at the club, last year our under-17s won the premiership and both under-15s made the grand final but unfortunately didn’t win.

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“We had four teams in the under-13s, two won premierships, so the club’s juniors are really strong and we’ve got a lot of talent coming through the ranks.

“We’ve added a couple of guys from the UK but most of our squad is local talent.

“They’ve been awesome over the pre-season and are only going to get better.”

While Gisborne and Romsey clash in a grand final rematch, Woodend hosts Macedon at Gilbert Gordon Oval, Rupertswood is scheduled to tackle Sunbury Kangaroos and Sunbury United welcomes Johnstone Shield premier Broadford.