Romsey captain Ben Way’s unbeaten knock helps Redbacks upset Gisborne

Romsey snapped an 11-game losing streak against GDCA premier Gisborne on Saturday in a dramatic finish that went down to the wire.

Louis Moor in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

Romsey snapped an 11-game losing streak against reigning premier Gisborne on Saturday thanks to captain Ben Way’s impressive knock.

Way’s unbeaten 81 guided the Redbacks home by two wickets in a drama-filled clash at Romsey Recreation Reserve.

Louis Moor hit the winning runs off the final ball of the match, chasing down Gisborne’s 7-179, to snatch victory.

But it was Way that help the innings together, his 91-ball knock including two fours and three sixes, as wickets regularly fell around him.

“It was one of those ones, as long as I could stay there and bat as deep as I could, we’d be there in the end,” he said.

Adam Frost in action for Romsey. Picture: Hamish Blair

Gisborne captain Jason Wilson hits out. Picture: Hamish Blair

“I was able to hit a couple in the middle eventually, the guys coming in were scoring at a decent rate, so we put pressure back on them and it went our way in the end.

“It’s been a long time, Romsey has built up from the bottom and we’re now knocking teams off.

“We got Bacchus (Marsh) last year and to get Gisborne in the first of two this year puts us in a good place.”

Romsey had never beaten Gisborne since the Dragons won promotion in 2013-14 and hadn’t tasted victory since January 8, 2011.

Having won the toss and sent the visitors in, Aaron Paterson picked up key early wickets and finished with 3-25 and Will Collins (2-32) picked up the key wicket of Pat McKenna (49) to restrict the Dragons.

However, Way said it should have been even less.

Louis Moor hit the winning runs with the bat. Picture: Hamish Blair

Romsey captain Ben Way in action.

“They got more than they should have, we dropped far too many catches, we bowled brilliantly and fielded horribly,” he said.

“I dropped Patty McKenna first ball at second slip and we dropped four other sodas. We probably should have bowled them out for 120.

Romsey were in desperate trouble at 8-140 but Way and Moor steered the team home, sparking celebrations.

“We needed 44 off last five then we had a couple of good overs, 15 or 16 off the third last over and then maybe a dozen off the second last,” Way said.

“We needed five off the last over, it got down to two off two and we got a leg bye off the second last ball and ran two on the final ball.

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“Louis’ (hit the winning runs) in a couple of games … he’s no fuss at the end and got the job done.

“Our batting – we got the job done but it wasn’t close to what we can produce.

“We getting to the stage were we don’t have to do everything well but we’re still getting across the line.”

The Redbacks sit third on the McIntyre Shield ladder and travel to Woodend on Saturday, while the Dragons will look to bounce back against ladder-leaders Sunbury United.