THE Gisborne and District Cricket Association competition played one day matches on Saturday and fans were treated to a spectacular effort from Wallan in the McIntyre firsts against Rupertswood.
Wallan won the toss and batted first.
A formidable partnership between its dependable captain Bryan Vance and Hamish Mullavey-Clark early in the game resulted in 98 runs.
However, at its conclusion, nervously, the wickets fell fast as Rhys Berry sent Archie Moore, Kavindu Ratnayake and Mitch Van De Duim back to the shelter and Shane Van Rooy was handy, assisting with two catches.
Wallan paved the way for a thrilling afternoon of cricket, all out for 177.
Rupertswood, in their early batting could not get away from the deadly bowling combination of Steven Bell and Van De Duim and mid-way through, when Ned Crotty looked dangerous (30), Mullavey-Clark delivered to take his wicket.
Berry made 23 not out and late in the game, Ryley Davis (26) appeared to be making up the gap; happy with nothing less than five boundary scores, however, some terrific fielding from Wallan saw them secure their first victory for the season, defeating Rupertswood by 43 runs, all out for 134.
Wallan coach, Steven Bell said the game gave them some credit.
“After a pretty humiliating loss to Woodend last week, I’m happy with the team,” he said.
“To get a win against a finals contender is big for this team, and the club. This win gives the team confidence that we can compete in this grade of the competition.”
Still in the McIntyre firsts, Broadford were defeated by 144 runs in its game against Gisborne at Harley Hammond.
Riley Vernon opened the batting and starred, making an unbeaten 150. Although Nathan Woods bowled Jarryd Vernon out for a golden duck the damage had been done. Matthew Barake created 48 runs, also with many visits to the boundary before Riley Nolan ended his innings with a loud LBW call.
Broadford batted up chasing 5/258, the biggest score of the round. Early, Joshua Nolan’s 24 runs and later Kyle Hopkins 23 helped, but the side was dismissed all out for 114.
Round 3 also saw Macedon and Woodend victorious over Romsey and Sunbury United respectively.
In the McIntyre seconds, the draw is reversed and Broadford shone when they played away against Gisborne.
Winning more than the toss, Broadford batted first and early in the game flexed their muscle.
Kyle Redenbach (27), Tyrell Dunn (30) and Ashley Wood (76) respectively led the pack and in the fielding, Wood bowled out four players and took one catch.
The final score was Gisborne 164 and Broadford, 8/179.
While Wallan’s McIntyre seconds also won the toss and batted first, in similar fashion, they came out swinging with Beau Fowler (33), Chase Fowler (34) and Brenton Hanson (37).
Oliver McAliece for Rupertswood was too deadly and with fielding assistance he removed three wickets.
The side also batted well in their middle order with Will Honner (71) and later on John Lane (43).
It was a close game which finished with Rupertswood defeating Wallan, 7/195 to 9/196.
To conclude the round, Sunbury United and Romsey had wins over Woodend and Macedon respectively.
Johnstone Shield
In Johnstone Shield, Eastern Hill are proving a force to be reckoned with as they comfortably defeated East Sunbury at John McMahon Reserve by 72 runs.
Lancefield delivered its first victory in the competition, scoring 8/159 to defeat Eynesbury, who were all out for 137.
Kilmore played away and won the toss. Batting across the first innings Dale Tassone made 84.
In between Diggers Rest fielders delivered consecutive ducks to Rhys Quinert and Shuan Suttie and next, Marcus Davern was out first ball. Ben Dawson finished strong, remaining on the pitch with Tassone (77).
Stuart Partridge reliably claimed three wickets, one of those a loud LBW and his brother, Callum took a brilliant catch. It was a nail biter that finished with a victory for Diggers, 4/181 to 5/180.
Kilmore play away on the week end against the Sunbury Kangaroos at Eric Boardman from 12.30pm in a one-day match hoping to move on from fourth on the ladder.
In the Johnstone Shield seconds, Diggers visited Kilmore’s Cricket Ground where Kilmore won the toss and batted first.
An excellent innings from Harrison Purcell (34), Steven Burns (31) and later Lachlan Peggie (27) resulted in the leather finding the boundary on many swings.
Diggers were comfortable in the run chase, scoring 3/149, with big runs from Cameron Morris (33) and Dylan Caruana (40 not out) and Michael West (24 not out).
Kilmore’s Samuel Smith took two wickets and one catch but it was not enough as the Blues could not defend 143.
Jensen Shield
The Jensen Shield saw Wallan win away against Macedon, 1/141 to 8/139 at JD Clifford.
Kilmore were no match for Diggers Rest Bulla Village, scoring 87 to 7/154 at LB Davern.
Club Grade
Kilmore fell desperately short against Malmsbury, bravely trying to chase down 3/204, but falling short at Barkly Square, scoring 6/185.
Broadford was no match for Romsey, all out for 89, before Romsey chased down the target one wicket down.
Wallan took a strong win over Eastern Hill by five wickets at Greenhill Reserve, scoring 5/129 to 127.
Kookaburra Women’s League
Local teams, Wallan and Broadford met for the first time on a windy Sunday morning where Wallan won the toss at Greenhill Reserve.
Traditionally, Megan Farrell opened the batting and retired not out (50).
Kasey Lennox (51), Terrie Haydon (32) and Kerrie Curran (20 not out) were strong batters who found the boundary line on many occasions until their innings finished on a season high, 3/245.
Broadford were thrilled when Ellanor Carboon bowled Kia Montgomery out (28) and later Terrie Haydon.
Chasing 245 was always going to be a big task for Broadford’s inaugural women’s cricket side to achieve.
Captain Brooke Jeffery (eight) was bowled out early, when she faced Lara Vecchie, and the wickets fell quickly thereafter. In its middle order, Melodie Bassett (three) and Maddison Benham (two) gave it their best shot however Wallan was too good and the visitors were dismissed, 8/29.
Kilmore women did not get to play as Darley forfeited.
