By Jordyn Grubisic
CRICKETERS stepped onto the pitch at the weekend for round one of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s, GDCA, Johnstone Shield.
Wallan scored a two-run win, making 1/157 off 30 overs to surpass Riddell’s 10/155, off 40 overs.
Wallan’s Chris Vecchie had sticky hands taking the first two catches, bowled by captain Steven Bell and Xavier Stute respectively, sending Riddell’s opening partnership out for 24 runs with Harry Fisher out for a duck.
Bell, Wallan’s captain and coach, said Riddell had patches of good batting partnerships.
“We got a wicket early on and then from there Riddell were able to build a bit of a partnership before we got another wicket about the 15th over,” he said.
“Then once again, Riddell were able to get another partnership going and then the 32nd over was when Campbell Fowler came on to bowl.”
Young Fowler was formidable on field, taking seven wickets including Riddell’s best batter of the day Sam Dempsey who was stumped by Spencer Whittingham.
“For a young kid to get seven wickets, it’s a great effort in any form of cricket but to get that in a one-dayer was an amazing effort,” Bell said.
“I love watching the kid bowl. He’s a great kid and I’m very proud of him for getting the seven wickets.”
In another highlight of the match, Wallan opener Kieran Atkin made an unbeaten 108 runs, off 78 balls.
A batting partnership with Matthew Clayton saw the pair pile on 147 runs before Clayton went out.
“Those two lasting as long as they did was pretty pleasing for us,” Bell said.
“To be part of a 147-run opening partnership was very pleasing and we were very happy with that.
“One thing we spoke about was batting in partnerships. It doesn’t matter who gets the runs as long as someone gets them.”
Although Wallan’s Firsts have a bye this weekend, their other three senior sides will play at home on Saturday.
In Sunbury, Kilmore had a 66-run loss to East Sunbury Thunder after not being able to chase down the home side’s 6/174.
Kilmore made 8/108, with batman Kevin Craddock the top-scorer for the visitors, making 30 runs off 70 balls before going out leg before wicket.
Coach and captain Jacob Walton said the game was played in good spirits.
“We were sort of thereabouts with where we wanted to be to restrict them but then they got a hold of us a little bit late,” he said.
“All of a sudden our chase went from looking maybe 140 to 150 [runs] to 170 or 180 which was just that little bit too much pressure on us to score.
“So our batsmen threw away a couple of wickets at key times trying to lift the run rate and credit to [East Sunbury] they bowled really well and had their patches.
Walton said the home side were just too good on the day.
“We had a couple of new players. Andrew Smith played pretty well for a guy that hasn’t played for 10 years,” he said.
“He put on a pretty decent partnership with Kevin Craddock, again who looks like he’s slotted back into his form from last year, making plenty of runs for us hopefully this year.
“Our side also bowled pretty well. We played a decent team game and were up and about the field and looking after each other but unfortunately we didn’t get the point.”
This Saturday, the Blues play Aintree at home.
With players’ availabilities shifting, Kilmore’s lineup has potential to change.
“There’ll be some other players that were unavailable this week that may come back in – it’s going to be tough for spots all year,” Walton said.
“The depth we’ve got at the club this season is incredible.”
Broadford will also have its debut Johnstone Shield game this weekend against Eynesbury on Saturday.
McIntyre Cup
Romsey kicked off its GDCA McIntyre Cup campaign with a four-run win over Sunbury.
Electing to bat first the Kangaroos made 9/150 off 45 overs.
Romsey’s Jamie Taylor took the opening wicket of the day and went on to snare two additional wickets – sending out three batsmen for a total of 13 runs.
Chris Marienfeld took a clutch wicket for the Redbacks’, sending opening batsman Jason King out for 67 runs, ending his day as the Kangaroo’s leading run-scorer.
Chris Burkett and Nathan Hoy opened the Redbacks’ batting for a 38-run partnership.
But captain and coach Ben Way said it was the duo of Aaron and Daniel Paterson who were vital.
“The Patersons sort of got us through at the end when it was looking a little dicey for a moment,” he said.
“But they had a good little partnership to not make us too nervous at the end.”
The Redbacks went on to take the win 6/154, off 38 overs.
“It was a good little hit out. We bowled okay, we fielded pretty ordinary and batted okay,” Way said.
“It’s always good to get a win early on. We haven’t done a big preseason so it was good to get a hit out in the middle and have a win.
“It really was a mixed performance – a few people got starts without anyone getting a really big score.”
This Saturday Romsey play at Woodend.
