Despite losing to Bacchus Marsh at the weekend, Romsey get a second change in finals action of the Gisborne District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Thanks to finishing second on the ladder, Romsey remain alive in the finals but now face top-of-the-table Gisborne in what promises to be a challenging match this weekend.
Playing at home, Romsey were unable to chase down Bacchus Marsh’s 6/193.
Two half centuries from Tom and David Dickinson, the latter with an unbeaten 58, made it tough going for the Redbacks.
Romsey’s Taylor Stevenson was the pick of the bowlers with 3/48 off 27 overs, including 10 maidens.
In reply, Romsey made a slow start, falling to 2/7 off eight overs. But opening batsman Matt Milne and skipper Ben Way somewhat steadied the ship, taking the score to 3/48 before Way was dismissed on 25.
Milne finished with 37 while middle-order batsman Tim Dale top-scored with 51.
Romsey finished all out for 171, off 73 overs.
While Romsey take on Gisborne in semi-final one, the other semi final will be between Sunbury United and Bacchus Marsh.
Johnstone Shield
Romsey Cricket Club’s fortunes changed in Johnstone Shield action, where they proceeded through to this weekend’s grand final after beating Kilmore.
Despite making just 97 runs in its first innings, the home side were able to bowl out Kilmore for 79.
Matthew Richardson top scored for Romsey with 31, while Kilmore’s Brett Buttler took 4/30 and Ned Mckeown 3/20 in a solid bowling performance.
However Kilmore’s batsmen couldn’t hold up their end, crashing to 5/28 at the 23-over mark.
With Ben Dawson’s 17 the top score for Kilmore, the visitors were facing an abrupt end to its season.
The best of the bowlers for Romsey were Chris Marienfield with 3/7 and Daniel Paterson with 3/29.
Romsey started batting a second innings, with a much stronger performance totalling 1/75 off 15 overs before day two of play ended.
Romsey will play Macedon in this weekend’s grand final.
In the Jensen Shield grand final, Hanging Rock will host Rupertswood, while in division one, Bacchus Marsh play Melton South, and in division two, it’s Romsey versus Bacchus Marsh.
In the club grade, north, competition, Lancefield were victorious over Gisborne in the grand final on Saturday. Chasing 9/123, Lancefield made 5/125 with Matt Bowden the star, taking 3/25 before making an unbeaten 30.
