The first two-day round of the 2023 Gisborne and District Cricket Association, GDCA, has drawn to a close, with all three Mitchell Shire teams in the Johnstone Shield competition coming out on top.
Wallan hosted Eynesbury across the past two weekends – its total of 323 runs amassed on the first day proving too much for the visitors to overcome, leaving the final scores at 3/323 to 7/213 in favour of the home side.
Backing up the impressive batting performance of captain Bryan Vance and Spencer Whittingham on day one, Campbell Fowler took two wickets to lead the way ahead of a smattering of wickets from Chris Vecchie, Bailey Fowler and young gun Kavindu Ratnayake.
In fact, 10 of Wallan’s 11 players picked up the ball for a bowl on Saturday.
Opening batsman Jason Davis top scored for Eynesbury, making 40, before Vance took his wicket via a successful leg before wicket appeal.
Meanwhile, Broadford secured its best result of the season to date as it comfortably kept East Sunbury at bay to win 8/223 to 10/68.
After making a run total of 223 on day one, Broadford ripped through East Sunbury’s batting order to have them all out for 60 runs in 48 overs.
James Jones was the star for his side, taking five wickets for seven runs.
His 16-over bowling spell included 10 maidens, as he took key wickets early and then cleaned up the tail end.
Others to claim wickets were captain Jack Connell, Riley Nolan and Jeremy Bradshaw.
Kilmore also put in a strong showing on both weekends against Riddell, coming out on top 9/190 to 10/120.
After dismissing the entire Riddell team for 120 in 54 overs on day one, Kilmore was up to the task on Saturday, easily surpassing the hosts’ total with strong performances from Marcus Davern, 58, and Elliot Frendo, 57 not out.
Riddell’s Nathan Brien did his best to quell the Kilmore charge, taking 5/17 but Kilmore proved too good, going on to make 190 runs from 56 overs.
In the seconds competition, Wallan, Broadford and Kilmore were able to mirror the results of their firsts counterparts to take hard-fought victories.
Highlights from the weekend include Jack Mifsud’s unbeaten century for Wallan, as well as 64 and 68 not out for Kilmore’s Darcy McNicholas and captain Callum Partridge, respectively.
Two-day action will continue this weekend, as Kilmore prepares to host Wallan, and Broadford welcome Aintree to Harley Hammond Reserve.
Wallan is still the only club undefeated in the Johnstone Shield, while Kilmore sits fourth on the ladder but is yet to win a match at home this season.
Broadford is in second place, however third-placed Aintree is likely one of its closest-matched rivals and should be a good challenge at the weekend.
McIntyre Cup
Romsey is still in impeccable form with a victory over Macedon at the weekend, however its toughest challenge is set to come this Saturday.
The win at home over Macedon never looked in doubt, as Romsey racked up 302 runs on day one, before dismissing the visitors for 162 from 57 overs on day two.
Romsey’s second innings ended on 4/104, with the highlight an unbeaten 57 by Matthew Milne, before play was finished on day two.
Jamie Taylor impressed with his bowling, taking 4/27 to stand out from the consistent wickets taken by each Romsey bowler.
Meanwhile Gisborne – Romsey’s closest rival so far this season – dominated Rupertswood after making a massive total of 461, and then bowling out the opposition for 147.
Both Romsey and Gisborne undefeated this season, setting the scene for an enthralling match this weekend.
