By Jackson Russell
Romsey’s First XI scored a six-wicket win over Woodend in the fourth round of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s regional club competition.
The Redbacks were stingy with the ball, holding Woodend to 9/122 from 40 overs.
Darin Jewell led with the ball, taking 6/30 from seven overs with two maidens while Taylor Stevenson took 2/14 from six overs.
It took Romsey just more than half of the allotted overs to get the job done, ending the match at 4/131 from 22 overs.
Will Collins top-scored for Romsey, making 32 while opener Stevenson made 31.
Wallan’s First XI had a strong eight-wicket win over Riddell on the road.
The Magpies kept Riddell to 8/114 from 40 overs, with Brenton Hanson taking 3/19 from eight overs with two maidens. Teenager Reuben Rode continued his form with the ball, taking 2/17 from eight overs with three maidens.
Rode also performed well with the bat, opening the batting and making 44 not out. He finished the innings with Brenton Hanson, who top-scored with 45 not out.
Romsey 2 had a five-wicket win over Woodend 2 at home. Daniel Paterson took 2/24 as Woodend made 4/134. Jack Thorsen led the Redbacks with the bat, making 65 as Romsey took the win with eight overs remaining.
Lancefield’s First XI took its second win of the regional club competition over Bacchus Marsh 3 by just two runs.
Wicketkeeper Callum Sankey led with the bat, making 44 while Andrew Richardt made 27 as Lancefield finished its innings at 7/155 from 40 overs.
The Tigers defended the total well, led by coach Matt Bowden who took 4/27, including a hat trick, from six overs with one maiden. Lachlan Bendeich also had a good day with the ball, taking 3/32 from seven overs.
Lancefield coach Matt Bowden said the result was a good indicator given the Tigers would meet the same Bacchus Marsh side in division two when the season proper began.
“It was a good indication to see what we’re going to be up against throughout the year and I think we’re at the right level for our skill level this year,” he said.
“I’m fairly confident this year. We’ve got a few young talented kids coming through including Cal Sankey and Alan Sinclair, we’ve got a couple blokes back to the club, John Morgan is a great person to have at the club and is really supportive of the young blokes coming through which is really helpful for me.
“With the points system not in play yet, it’s good to throw the ball around and change the batting line-up in the first two games.
“Getting a hat trick’s always good. I’d much prefer to do it throughout the season but it’s always good to be on top of your game.”
In other results, Wallan 2 defeated Riddell 2 by six wickets at Greenhill Reserve; Wallan 3 defeated Gisborne 6 by six wickets on the road; Gisborne 7 defeated Lancefield 2 by 128 runs; and Bacchus Marsh 6 defeated Wallan 4 by six runs in Bacchus Marsh.
