Pat McKenna’s match-winning knock in first game back for Gisborne

Gisborne got an early Christmas present from favourite son Pat McKenna as he and skipper Jason Wilson combined to fend off Diggers Rest Bulla.

Gisborne captain Jason Wilson. Picture: Hamish Blair

Gisborne received an early Christmas present on Saturday, the surprise return of Pat McKenna.

McKenna, an Australia Under-19 cricketer and captain and former AFL player, scored a match-winning 83 not out in an eight-wicket win over GDCA rival Diggers Rest Bulla.

Coming in at 2-24, McKenna combined with Dragons skipper Jason Wilson (69 not out) in a 151-run partnership.

The pair reeled in Diggers’ 7-169 in the 43rd over, McKenna finishing the job with a six.

Wilson was pleased with a hard-fought win at Diggers Rest Recreation Reserve.

Pat McKenna playing football for Gisborne. Picture: Aaron Cook

“We lost Mick (Allen) in the second over, which is never good, and then young Lucas Cavigan got out not long after,” he said.

“We were two for not many and I think we put on 150, so it was a really good partnership.

“We shouldn’t have been chasing that, we dropped a couple of chances and a couple of their lower order blokes threw the bat and got a hold of us, so they did well to get there.

“I think 170 was a good score to be honest, so we’ve done well to chase it, especially losing Mick in the second over.”

McKenna played seven McIntyre Shield games last season, scoring 217 runs at an average of 54, but was expected to focus on football over summer.

Wilson hoped he would still be available after the Christmas break.

“He’s going to play a few, he can’t play every week but he’ll play a few,” Wilson said.

“He’s not doing the Melbourne women’s coaching, so we’ve got him for a few games, which we’re very happy about.

Michael Allen in action for Gisborne. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Pat’s great to have around, with myself, Mick and Jay King, to guide the kids along.”

Wilson’s second half century of the campaign takes him to 213 runs at an average of 71, ranked second in the competition.

Earlier, Jayden Schwarze scored an unbeaten 47, with help from Rajitha Ratnayake (32) and Maninder Buttar (30) to put Diggers Rest in a strong position.

Jackson Kerr took 2-31 to be the Dragons’ best bowler.

Kerr is the club’s leading wicket-taker in the opening five matches with seven scalps – ranked equal 13th and is part of the changing of the guard at Gisborne.

The youngster is still playing under-17s – where he’s taken six wickets an just 4.17 – as is opener Cavigan.

Jayben Bannan, Josh Handley and Daniel Martin are all finding their feet at senior level.

After being premiership contenders for the past few seasons, the Dragons are looking to develop their youth in 2020-21.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys, our prime focus is to try and develop them, and if they can contribute each week maybe we can sneak into finals,” Wilson said.

VTCA: CHRISTMAS FIREWORKS IN 40-BALL CENTURY

LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE

“They’re doing OK and our senior guys will keep helping them along.

“Jacko still plays under-17s and Lucas is under-17 as well, our wicketkeeper (Bannan) is 18 or 19 and Josh Handley and Danny Martin are 21.

“We’re pretty happy with where we’re at, 3-2, and we’ve played three top sides.”

Gisborne sits fourth heading into the Christmas break and host third-placed Wallan in the first game back on January 8.