Romsey clinches a drought-breaking GDCA McIntyre Cup premiership

Romsey had to wait 40 years but the Redbacks are finally back on top of the GDCA mountain with a thrilling McIntyre Cup premiership win.

For the first time in 40 years Romsey is GDCA McIntyre Cup premier.

The Redbacks clinched a drought-breaking flag on Sunday with a thrilling 27-run win over Sunbury United at Langama Park.

It is the club’s first title since 1982-83 and 13th in the top-flight, third most in competition history behind Gisborne and Woodend.

Taylor Stevenson was the hero, scoring a match-high 68 before taking 3-43, to earn the grand final medal.

Romsey was all out 199 on Saturday and United looked on track for victory at 3-126 before disastrous 7-46 collapse saw them all out 172.

Matthew Milne in action for Romsey. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Nathan Hoy in action for Romsey. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Redbacks captain Ben Way said it was a massive relief.

“It’s been a big build up, obviously we couldn’t get there last year, and it’s been 40 years so you put more and more pressure on yourself,” he said.

“It didn’t come easy, we felt like we had enough runs but then we had to fight all day with the ball and it never felt like we were in front until the end when the wickets started tumbling.”

At 4-55, Romsey were in early trouble before a match-defining 109-run stand between Way (67) and Stevenson.

It proved critical as the Redbacks lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs with Ashan Ranaweera (4-18) and Rajitha Mendis (4-48) both taking four scalps.

Damien Edwards (64) and Bees captain Upul Fernando (49) put on a 59-run fourth-wicket stand to put United in the box seat but when Edwards fell to Jamie Taylor (2-52) the momentum swung back to the Redbacks.

Grand final man of the match Taylor Stevenson. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Stevenson got the big wicket of Fernando and Corey Day finished with incredible figures of 3-8 from five overs.

“When you look back at it, (the 109-run partnership) was probably the difference for us,” Way said.

“At 4-50, if we lose another wicket or two you’re staring down the barrel, so it was a big moment in the game and a lot of fun to be a part of.

“(Taylor) was massive with the bat coming in at 4-50 and got us a total to bowl to.

“Then with the ball he’s one of those people we go to in those moments we need to build pressure and three-for and 60-odd in a grand final isn’t a bad effort.

“It felt like we had the runs on the board and chasing is never easy, especially in a grand final.

“When it started to get down to a run-rate issue and they started to play shots it brought us into the game and we knew for every wicket it put more pressure on the next batter.”

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While Romsey’s First XI celebrated there was heartbreak for the club’s Second XI, going down in the Johnstone Shield decider.

Macedon earnt promotion to McIntyre Cup with a 76-run victory at Romsey thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by Matty Williams.

Williams finished with figures of 7-39 to skittle Romsey for 91. Macedon defended 167 with Chris Axton the top-scored on 36.

And in the Jensen Shield, Hanging Rock clinched a two-wicket win over Rupertswood Second XI with Steven Zubrycki (5-23) and Oliver Watt (48) the stars.