In the Johnstone Shield Firsts competition, Diggers Rest Bulla Village travelled to play Kilmore under warm but cloudy skies.
Kilmore won the toss and chose Jacob Walton to open the bowling with Leon Zelvys at the other end.
Digger’s captain Rhys Berry selected Jake Reid and Bradley Fleming as the opening batters.
Fleming lost his wicket early in the fourth over after Ben Dawson caught him out, but Reid managed 33 big runs, eventually caught out by Josh Squires.
Six wickets down, the Diggers had high hopes for their strong partnerships featuring Ethan Travers, Justin Cleur, and Jacob Grant.
The side made 120 runs before finishing their innings.
Kilmore’s innings featured young Darcy McNicholas as an opening batter. McNicholas usually plays with the Johnstone Shield Seconds, but the game marked his debut for the Johnstone Shield Firsts.
Zelvys faced the first over and quickly hit one 6 and a 4, making 10 runs off four quick deliveries before Fleming caught him behind. Jacob Walton joined McNicholas on the pitch until Lachlan Ruff positioned himself under a high ball and caught him out on 10 runs.
Callum Partridge joined McNicholas next, and although they faced several wide balls, the incredible combo quickly added 86 runs across 15.1 overs. Kilmore, two out for 120, defeated the Diggers six out for 116.
Walton said McNicholas was a superstar player on the day, and praised the club’s positive attitude despite several injuries.
“Today we have 16 players unavailable due to injuries,” he said.
“We’ve been competitive in all grades, all season, and our [finals] destiny is in our own hands.
“We have three weeks off and we’re looking forward to resting our players.”
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Across the pitch, Wallan travelled to play Eynesbury who won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Wallan captain and opening batter Bryan Vance put 72 runs up, including five 4s.
Beau Fowler and Reuben Rode were still on the pitch when their innings finished four out for 155. Unfortunately for Eynesbury, the side could not match Wallan’s run rate and were defeated seven out for 106.
Players and fans can look forward to a one-day match between Kilmore and Wallan at the Kilmore Cricket Ground when the season resumes on Saturday, January 11, at 1pm.
McIntyre Cup Firsts
Round eight featured a series of competitive matches across the region in the McIntyre Cup Firsts.
Romsey hosted the Sunbury Kangaroos, who won the toss and elected to bat first.
Their standout batter was Mace Green with 18 runs. For Romsey, Nathan Hoy put up 39 runs. The close match finished in favour of Romsey, four out for 109 across 14 overs, while Sunbury finished six out for 108.
Meanwhile, Sunbury United hosted Rupertswood who won the toss and elected to bat first. Across 17.3 overs, the side finished with 10 out for 96 runs, while Sunbury were victorious by one run, eight out for 97.
The Macedon team hosted Broadford, and also won the toss, electing to bat first.
Across 20 overs, Macedon’s standout player Alex Browne finished on 106 runs not out, while Broadford’s top batter Gareth Sharp hit 69 runs before he was caught by Gareth De Rosayro.
In a close game, Macedon finished with five out for 187 and defeated Broadford, six out for 170.
Gisborne hosted Woodend who won the toss and elected to bat first. Marcus Stewart and Henry Lawson opened the batting putting up 48 runs between them.
Afterwards, Gisborne selected Spencer Jones and Riley Vernon to open their batting and between them put 84 runs up. It was a close finish with the game in favour of Gisborne, seven for 149.
The league will return in 2025 with Broadford hosting Gisborne on Saturday, January 11 at the Harley Hammond Reserve at 12.10pm.
