Riley Vernon’s incredible innings for Gisborne comes to a shocking end

A bittersweet day for Gisborne’s Riley Vernon as he broke the Dragons’ record with a sensational double ton before disaster struck.

Riley Vernon smashed Gisborne’s record high-score with a magical double ton but ended the day in hospital after a freak accident.

The Dragons gun hit an incredible 210 not out, from just 203 balls, to inspire his team to a 172-run victory over Rupertswood but was forced to retire hurt after being struck in the face.

He suffered a fractured eye socket and will miss the club’s semi-final against Romsey and likely the grand final should it progress.

Vernon’s knock breaks Simon Harman’s record of 199 not out.

Amazingly, Gisborne’s three highest scores – Vernon, Harman and Mick Allen’s 196 not out – have all come against Rupertswood.

Vernon’s brother, and Dragons captain, Jarryd said it was the finest innings he had witnessed.

“I said to Riley when we were out there ‘this is as much fun as I’ve had batting ever’,” Jarryd said.

“Watching your younger brother smash it to all parts, standing at the non-strikers end, it was a really proud moment.

“It was probably the best innings I’ve ever seen, it was chanceless. Once to got to 100 he put the foot down and was playing every shot in the book.

“He batted without a helmet for probably 200 runs and then on 210 he ramped one into his face so it was a bittersweet day for him.

“He’d played the ramp two or three times before that but it was just one unlucky one.

“He was sent to hospital in an ambulance so he’s in recovery mode, which is unfortunate for us, but I believe we’ve got the young players to stand up.”

Jarryd scored 71 as the Vernon’s combined for a 170-run third-wicket stand to guide Gisborne to a mammoth 8-401.

In reply, Rupertswood managed a creditable 229 thanks to Daniel Kavanagh’s 72 and Nathan Shoesmith’s 62.

Brothers Jarryd and Riley Vernon celebrate Gisborne's 2016-17 premiership. Picture: Tim Michell.

Spencer Jones (3-26), Leigh Brennan (3-52) and Jarryd Vernon (3-53) shared the wickets to wrap up the win.

“Coming off a loss in the last week of the season, it was great, I’ve never scored 400 as a team,” Vernon said.

“Our bowling has been our let down over the last couple of weeks so we just tried to get back to basics.

“Myself, Leigh and Spencer got three wickets as well, so it was a good all-round effort and our fielding was exceptional as well.”

It’s been a successful homecoming for the Vernons with Jarryd finishing the home-and-away season as the competition’s top run-scorer with 751 runs at an average of 93.88, while Riley knocked in 265 at 44.17.

Jarryd also ranked sixth for total wickets with 21 scalps at 13.24, while Riley snared 10.

Gisborne will now face second-placed Romsey after the Redbacks were upset by reigning premier Bacchus Marsh.

The Bulls’ 12-run victory earns them a semi-final against Sunbury United, which defeated Diggers Rest Bulla by 71 runs in a high-scoring affair.

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Ashan Ranaweera had a day out for the Bees, scoring 101 and taking 7-75, while teammate Damien Edwards hit 132.

Meanwhile in Johnstone Shield, Macedon and Romsey Second XI are into the grand final.

Macedon (216) were too good for Bacchus Marsh Second XI (149), while Romsey (97) defeated Kilmore (79).

And in Jensen Shield, Hanging Rock (5-131) beat Diggers Rest Bulla Second XI (125) and Rupertswood Second XI (8-204) defeated Bacchus Marsh Third XI (200) to book their grand final tickets.