By Colin MacGillivray
MATCHES across the Gisborne and District Cricket Association, GDCA, hang in the balance as teams relish the return of two-day cricket.
Wallan faces a difficult run chase against Bacchus Marsh and Romsey must bowl well to stave off Gisborne in the top-flight McIntyre Cup competition, while a wicket just before the close of play has given Kilmore a boost in its Johnstone Shield clash with Sunbury United.
The Blues were sent in by Sunbury United after losing the toss, and faced an early challenge against a disciplined Hornets bowling attack.
Kilmore skipper Josh Buttler admitted his team was on the back foot after the dismissals of openers Ash Lovick for 16 and Kevin Craddock for 21, while number three and four batsmen Steven Burns and Justin Colliss were out for 12 and 11 respectively, leaving the Blues at 4/68.
“We were in a bit of a tight spot early having lost a few wickets for not a great number of runs,” Buttler said.
“They bowled consistent spots and made it hard to score early with a tight, disciplined line. They put a lot of pressure on you when you first got to the crease.
“It was about weathering that storm and eventually the runs started to come if you could get through that period.”
Buttler and Ben Dawson set about rebuilding the innings, with Buttler producing a captain’s knock of 72 to get the Blues back on track, while Dawson made a hard-fought 18.
Wicketkeeper Jacob Walton also made 18 to keep the scoreboard ticking over and help the visitors to a defendable total of 211.
“The fact that everyone contributed was pretty pleasing after being on the back foot early, and to be able to get into a decent position after that was good to see,” Buttler said.
Sunbury United hoped to bat out a few overs without loss to end the day, but opener Adrian Tanner fell to Brett Buttler for just one run in the fourth over, leaving the Hornets 1/6 at the close of play.
Josh Buttler said the wicket boosted the morale of the Blues.
“It gives us a bit of momentum to take into this week with one wicket already down and a decent score to defend,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a close one, but we’re in a good position though, and hopefully we can get the job done.”
McIntyre Cup
Wallan will chase a daunting target of 267 in the second day of its McIntyre Cup match against Bacchus Marsh after the Bulls put on a batting clinic on Saturday.
While Ryan Bonner took four wickets for the Magpies, they came at a cost of more than five runs an over, as Bacchus Marsh opener Brenton Payne scored a century and number five batsman Tom Dickinson finished 84 not out.
Romsey struggled to put a large score on the board after batting first in its match against Gisborne in Romsey, dismissed for 134 in 76 overs.
Tim Dale scored 29 runs and Chris Burkett, 27, and Jack Rees, 22, both made starts, but none of the Redbacks’ batsmen were able to score fluently.
Hearteningly for the home side however, the Romsey attack claimed three wickets before the close of play, leaving Gisborne 3/33 and still 102 runs shy of victory heading into Saturday.
Chris Marienfeld claimed two of the wickets, while Jamie Taylor took the other.
Women’s matches
Ladder leader Lancefield Black showed its class in a win against Kilmore on Saturday.
The Blues elected to bat after winning the toss and put up a competitive total of 6/159 from their 30 overs on the back of an unbeaten 70 from opener Taylah Logie and 32 from Justine Muston.
Despite two early wickets in Lancefield Black’s run chase however, the visitors showed their class with 68 unbeaten runs from Brooke Jeffrey and 65 from Nat Jeffrey to chase down the total with five overs to spare and only three wickets lost.
Lancefield Yellow also picked up a win against Bacchus Marsh thanks to a half-century from Meaghan Keogh, solidifying the team’s place in the top four.
Lancefield Black tops the ladder with five wins and one loss, while Kilmore is fifth.
