Romsey win thriller

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THE Gisborne and District Cricket Association returned to action on Saturday in the first taste of community sport since cricket wrapped up last autumn.

With the association’s metropolitan teams in Hume and Melton still unable to return to training due to Melbourne’s tighter restrictions, a competition was organised for the association’s regional clubs.

Romsey’s First XI was able to get off to a good start at home with a thrilling one-wicket Pool A win over Woodend on the last ball of the day.

After Woodend won the toss and elected to bat, the Redbacks took control with two early wickets as Aaron Paterson and Sean Day combined to a run out Keiran Else, and Darin Jewell bowled Daniel Eastley for ducks to have the visitors 2/4.

Woodend rallied to put on a 68-run partnership, before Paterson dismissed Warren Else for 35, with captain Ben Way taking the catch.

Woodend lost two quick wickets after a 28-run partnership to fall to 5/108.

Opener Riley Vernon carried Woodend with the bat, making 90 before he was caught by Louis Moor for Jewell’s second wicket at 7/147.

Woodend lost two more late wickets to finish its innings at 9/157.

Darin Jewell to 3/31 from eight overs with two maidens while Aaron Paterson took 3/32 from eight overs with one maiden.

Romsey made a solid start to its innings, with a 30-run partnership between Taylor Stevenson and Matthew Milne, before both fell in quick succession to have the Redbacks 2/36.

William Collins and Sean Day were able to put on a 64-run stand before Day was bowled by Warren Else for 40. Collins fell shortly after for 37 as Romsey fell to 4/116.

Romsey’s tail fell in similar fashion to Woodend but was able to hold on long enough, with Louis Moor scoring the winning runs on the last ball of the day.

Wallan was unable to get its ones out on the park, abandoning its opening Pool B match against Riddell 1 at Greenhill Reserve due to rain.

Lancefield’s First XI also scored a first-up win, defeating Blackwood 1 by 27 runs in Pool D action.

In other results, Romsey 2 defeated Woodend 2 by eight wickets in Pool C at Gilbert Gordon Reserve, Wallan 2 was able to put some bonus points on the board with a comfortable win over Gisborne 4 in Pool E, Wallan 3 took a forfeit victory over Woodend 3 in Pool E, Wallan 4 went down by six wickets to Gisborne 7 in Pool F, and Lancefield 2 lost to Hanging Rock 3 by 38 runs in Pool F.