THE cricket season’s first series of two-day matches were played on the weekend with mixed results keeping the punters on the edge of their seats in brilliant, sunny weather across the region.
Gisborne and District Cricket Association (GDCA)
In round five of the McIntyre Cup, the Broadford Firsts dished it up to Macedon at Harley Hammond.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, an opening partnership between Sikander Sharma and Braden Hickey accumulated 108 runs.
The Macedon Cats cheered when Sharma was run out on 42, and later Hickey was caught out by Zavier Smitten on 66.
Fourth order batter, Iezaz Ul Hassan wowed the crowd with its first six in a short innings (8) as did Dilsher Pal Singh (8).
In between, Joshua Nolan came close to half a century (42) and later Jeremy Bradshaw added 26 to the scoreboard until he was also dismissed when the bails lifted.
Nathan Woods was still on the crease and Bryan Fleming did not get to bat as umpire, Kevin Oakley, called the match finished at 73.1 overs on 227
Broadford played the highest scoring game in the round and Macedon opened their innings sending Gareth De Rosayro (11) and Harry Pender (4) out to face the music.
Macedon captain Cameron Howlett spoke to the Review and confirmed Macedon is second on the ladder, and that they have five players out with injuries.
Rupertswood challenged Woodend at Salesian College in Sunbury and finished 10/197 across 75.3 overs. Woodend’s opening batters donned the pads, Daniel Eastley (4) and Harry Lawson (1) giving chase.
Romsey travelled to play Wallan for their first clash of the season and after winning the toss, they elected to field first.
Romsey fielded brilliantly and denied the magpies big runs. Aaron Paterson claimed four wickets including Jack Mifsud’s (15) and Bryce Vance’s (48).
Late in the batting order, Zac Bell finished on the pitch (22) with Campbell Fowler (16) and the umpire declared the day over (80). Romsey will be chasing 154 when they bat.
Gisborne, the team to beat, played Sunbury United at Gardiner Reserve and are chasing 10/192 when they resume their innings with Brenton Cook (2) and Spencer Jones (8) on the pitch next Saturday.
McIntyre seconds get it started
Romsey hosted Wallan and racked up a massive score card, 6/345 when they won the toss and chose to bat first.
Matthew Richardson (48) Adam Frost (97), Nathan Hoy (40) and Archie Jedwab (53 not out) did the most damage.
For Wallan, the wickets were shared with one each from Darby Bishop, Ekampreet Singh, James Farrell, Beau Fowler and Troy Jeffs.
Wallan certainly have their job cut out for them on Saturday at Romsey Reserve.
Gisborne played Sunbury United at Langama Park in Sunbury and won the toss and batted first.
Reegan Scott (57) opened the innings and made exciting progress whacking four fours. The promising batting order was disrupted with four ducks and the side finished at 73 overs with 203.
Rupertswood and Woodend played at Kyneton and are 3/67 and 10/145 respectively.
Rhys Bennett claimed seven wickets for Rupertswood who are second on the ladder, while Woodend are third.
Finally, Broadford fielded brilliantly against Macedon at Tony Clarke.
Cody Ball claimed three wickets and Jake Lovell two.
Late in the innings, Michael Mirabella damaged the run card when he delivered Joe Evans a golden duck. Macedon put 101 runs up for Broadford to chase.
With Connor Stute (35) and Mitchell Collier (19) making a great start by sending thrilling fours to the boundary, and only one wicket down (Kyle Hopkins) they have it in them. Broadford need 34 runs to win.
Johnstone Shield Firsts
Playing their first round of two-day matches, Eastern Hill’s campaign for season finalists were played out against Diggers Rest Bulla Village on Saturday when they won the toss and chose the crease.
Diggers are chasing 264, the most runs made for the round.
In Eastern Hills middle order, Oscar Newell (84) and Nathan Fowler (91) did the most damage.
Sunbury’s Charlie Hammond-Collins and Jake Reid fielded brilliantly with two wickets and two wicket keeper catches respectively.
Eynesbury played East Sunbury at Eynesbury and in another high scoring innings the Power declared at 80 overs, 252.
Kilmore travelled to play Harkness where they won the toss and chose to field first.
Ben Dawson’s and Elliot Frendo’s bowling was on fire, between them taking seven wickets! Harkness was dismissed on 138 across 46.4 overs.
Kilmore’s stalwart Dale Tassone (48) and Josh Squire at the other end will face his first ball when play resumes on Saturday, at Arnolds Creek, Kilmore need 45 runs to win.
Finally, Lancefield and Sunbury Kangaroos are hitting it off at Lancefield in what is a low scoring match to date.
The Kangaroos fielded well with their private player taking three wickets early in the game.
Adam Ferney and Mace Green collected two each and across 54.2 overs Lancefield made 105.
The Roo’s are off to a good start, with private player (26) and Russell Philipps (9) to return to the pitch on Saturday chasing 53.
In between Harrison Lehner claimed Jordan Ballinder’s wicket with a golden duck, The Johnstone Shield seconds series resumes with one day matches on Saturday.
The overall ladder has East Sunbury on top, followed by Eynesbury and Diggers Rest Bulla Village.
The Jensen Shields competition featuring twelve teams competing across the summer fixture was in recess.
Riddell, Trentham and Gisborne’s teams are occupying the top three ladder positions respectively. Wallan is in sixth place, and it will be play away on Saturday at Riddells.
In the thirds, Kilmore has a lot to do to lift off the bottom rung to rise above Eynesbury at LB Davern on Saturday.
Melton South, Melton and Rupertswood are the teams to beat in the 2025/26 fixture.
The Kookaburra’s also had a break on the weekend, and the Review has learnt that Darley has withdrawn from its T20 competition.
Kilmore will play away against Lancefield Black on Sunday and Wallan also play away against Gisborne.
In the B grade, Broadford are hosting Melton Centrals at playing at Harley Hammond.
