JUST three divisions played cricket on Saturday in the Gisborne District Cricket Association, but it was a high-octane day of cricket, with plenty of runs scored.
McIntyre Cup Firsts
Wallan will be buoyed by making a good score in the hopes of keeping alive its status in the top division for next season, enjoying a decent day against Macedon.
Despite a middle-order wobble, the Magpies would round out the day scoring 9/225, which was largely guided by an excellent 108-run partnership between Matthew Clayton (63) and Bryan Vance (71).
The Magpies would lose 4/16 in the later stages of the day to prevent themselves from an even higher score.
In contrast, relegation rival Broadford struggled, just 58 runs ahead at the close of play against Woodend, with its opponent having 10 wickets in hand.
Riley Nolan gave Broadford a solid platform by scoring 34 runs, but it would lose 5/26 to find itself 5/51.
Harrison Wood (13) and Joshua Nolan (21) then worked hard to put together 28 runs, and later, Ashley Wood (24) and Jeremy Bradshaw (17) put on 40 runs, but it lost too many clumps of wickets to be bowled out for 130.
Woodend went at a brisk five runs per over in the last 14 overs of the day to finish 0/72.
Romsey will need a big effort next week to chase down Sunbury United’s 273.
United had solid contributors at the top of the order, with four of its top five making 30 runs or more, headlined by Upul Fernando’s 78 and Harrison Knott’s 62.
However, Romsey got itself back into the game by taking 5/33 before the close of play.
Taylor Stevenson toiled away in the heat and was rewarded with figures of 6/100 from 24.4 overs, while Benjamin Way took 2/45 off 12 overs.
Johnstone Shield Firsts
A fascinating day’s cricket at Harkness sees Lancefield currently in the box seat after some Harvey Lehner heroics.
It was the Lehner show for Lancefield as Harvey’s 81 was joined by Harrison’s 43, setting the bulk of the Tigers’ 183 runs.
However, Harvey was only just getting started, and he took 2/2 in five overs to leave Harkness in all sorts at 3/6 at the close of play.
The Tigers were bowling tight, with Trent McNamara also chipping in with a wicket and four maidens from his five overs.
Eastern Hill put together 291 runs at Kings Park, with Kilmore needing a big effort next week to topple the runaway ladder leaders.
The Eagles’ innings was set up by Benjamin Bryant’s 59 and Oscar Newell’s 58, while four other batsmen also made above 30 runs as Eastern Hill pulled up stumps scoring 8/291.
Josh Squire battled away from 20 overs to take 2/36, while Stuart Partridge (2/84 off 24) and Jacob Walton (2/100 off 23) also toiled away.
McIntyre Cup Seconds
The McIntyre Cup seconds was the only other league in action apart from the top flight of both competitions.
Wallan was in desperate trouble in its game against Macedon, holding an 111-run lead, but the Cats had nine wickets in hand.
Jack Mifsud led four Wallan batsmen who scored 20 or more runs with 27, while Troy Jeffs (25), Beau Fowler (23) and Chase Fowler (20) also played their part.
However, the Magpies would lose 8/69 to find themselves all out for 140.
Macedon closed play at 1/29, with James Farrell picking up the sole wicket of Harry Pender.
Broadford gave itself a solid platform to defend against Woodend.
Connor Stute scored 50, while Justin Nicholas added 49. Taylor Shell was unbeaten on 36 as Broadford was bowled out for 211, while Woodend attacked hard to end the day 0/44 off 12 overs.
Nathan Hoy’s heroics means Romsey live to fight another day, but will need a big effort to defend 153.
Hoy single-handedly kept Romsey above water with 80 runs, and remained unbeaten, while Kyle Ziedaitis scored 25.
Sunbury United was 0/17 at the close of play.
All games will return this week, with the women’s competition also making a return to play for the final stretch of the season.
