FINALS time arrived for the Johnstone Shield over the weekend in the Gisborne District Cricket Association, while the conclusion of the McIntyre Cup provided great excitement.
Johnstone Shield Firsts
Eastern Hill will take on Diggers Rest Bulla Village for the right to earn promotion to the McIntyre Cup after disposing of Kilmore with ease over the weekend at Kings Park.
Batting first, the Eagles meant business right from the opening ball as they immediately set about batting the Blues out of the game, yielding an 88-run opening partnership before Jacob Walton struck for the first wicket of the day, luring Billy Cox (56) into a shot straight to Dale Tassone.
However, the dangerous Benjamin Bryant came to the crease, and it was his influence which allowed the Eagles to pile on the runs, alongside Dean Fulco, with the pair getting the score to 165 before Josh Squire managed a wicket, with Fulco dismissed for 55.
Kilmore had a little sniff when it removed Bryant for 71 through Tassone, who trapped him in front, before Walton caught Oscar Newell off his own bowling for 10 to leave the Eagles 4/204.
However, the Eagles got back on track thanks to Ollie Bryant’s 41, while Nathan Fowler added 24, as the Eagles would eventually make 7/307.
Ben Dawson worked hard to take 2/23 off six overs, while Walton toiled away for 2/87 off 18 overs.
Kilmore needed a good start to give itself a chance, but a ball that kept low from Benjamin yielded the first wicket of the day, with Squire removed for seven.
To the Blues’ credit, they worked hard to build a solid 55-run partnership for the second wicket, with Tassone continuing his recent good form alongside Walton, who scored 21.
However, Walton’s dismissal triggered a collapse, and it was Oscar Newell who soon had the Blues in a spin as he rattled through Kilmore’s middle order with ease.
Newell claimed seven wickets in 11 wild overs, while giving up just 16 runs, as the Blues lost 9/34 to be all out for 102, with the Eagles earning the right to host the final.
Their opponents, Diggers Rest Bulla Village, claimed a 98-run victory over Sunbury Kangaroos.
McIntyre Cup Firsts
Wallan will remain in McIntyre Cup for the 2026-27 season after claiming a tense three-wicket win over Broadford at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Starting at 4/30, the Magpies needed a partnership, and it was Campbell Fowler and Kavindu Ratnayake that delivered to get them on the front foot for the afternoon.
Ratnayake was aggressive in scoring 51, but his afternoon was undone by Riley Nolan, who gave Broadford its first look at perhaps keeping itself in the top division with Wallan 5/96.
However, Bryan Vance was able to carry on from Ratnayake’s big innings, adding 37 to help basically control the pace of play for the Magpies, despite losing Campbell for 24.
Vance was removed for 37 with nine runs still to get, but Spencer Whittingham’s 15 helped get the Magpies home.
Taylor Shell finished with the best figures for Broadford with 2/22, while Braden Hickey took 2/27.
Broadford’s Michael Mirabella, on relegation, said: “Too many missed opportunities. Too many drops.
“We needed six wickets (to win our first innings) unfortunately, we only got three, resulting in losing points.”
Mirabella said there was still plenty of positives for the club.
“I think the biggest highlight is the development of the women’s team,” Mirabella said.
“From where they started to where they have ended up was an astronomical improvement. Their enthusiasm has made coaching them enjoyable.
“Our under 13 side will play in their grand final against Wallan on the weekend.”
In the semi-final against Woodend, Harrison Wood made 75 not out and his brother Logan followed suit with 30 runs.
Romsey finished its season in third but will need to improve greatly to make its mark in the finals to compete with minor premier Woodend after losing by 165 runs.
Chasing 291 for victory, Romsey, through Thomas Boyer’s 34, was in a reasonable position at 2/69, before Woodend’s pressure was simply too much, and Romsey eventually was dismissed for 125.
Romsey will now travel to Gardiner Reserve to take on Gisborne in its semi final.
McIntyre Cup Seconds
It was better news for Romsey’s second XI, however, taking a three-wicket win over Woodend.
Chasing 207 for victory and set up by multiple wickets from a hard-working Chris Marienfeld (3/78 off 24 overs) and Nathan Hoy (2/24 off 10 overs), Romsey started well enough with the bat, with Jack Rees making 27, as did Matthew Richardson.
From 4/87, however, it was a swashbuckling innings from Adam Frost which gave Romsey the advantage, scoring 73 off 70 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes.
Despite a late wobble, Samuel Alford (10) and Darin Jewell (18) got Romsey home, where they now travel to Salesian College to take on Rupertswood.
Johnstone Shield Seconds
Eastern Hill’s bid for a double is alive by the skin of its teeth after a thrilling three-run win over East Sunbury.
A brilliant century from Harvey Hager, who scored 113, helped give the Eagles a terrific start, ably assisted by Tayte Hoefchen, who added 59, as the Eagles piled on the runs, making 7/275.
East Sunbury, however, recovered after a slow start, and there were some nerves when the Thunder was able to get to 4/185.
However, two wickets in three balls from Brayden Speechley got the Eagles back on track, including the key wicket of Ashish Shukla, who made 78.
East Sunbury kept fighting, however, and despite needing a further 27 runs for the last wicket after sitting 9/249, made an almighty fist of the chase.
Fraser Lewis was the hero, taking the final wicket with the score on 272, and allowing the Eagles into the grand final, where, like their senior counterpart, they will meet Diggers Rest Bulla Village.
