SATURDAY’S inclement weather, quite arctic conditions for spring, saw most cricket games across the Gisborne and District Cricket Association (GDCA) washed out and some under the call of the its clubs captains to proceed.
The enormous geographical area that makes up the fixture resulted in its utmost northern games going ahead while its southern games were called washed out.
The GDCA called off the McIntyre firsts two-day series between Wallan and Romsey at Greenhill Reserve. Romsey were chasing 154 runs to claim their first win of the season.
Across the divide at Salesian College, Rupertswood and Woodend stayed dry along with Gisborne and Sunbury United, who had them chasing 192 runs for a percentage win.
It was a captains call; Riley Nolan for Broadford and Cameron Clayton for Macedon to proceed with their match at Harley Hammond—Macedon chasing 227 runs to win.
Broadford’s phenomenal fielding cut their innings short.
Nathan Woods and Sikander Sharma claimed four wickets each, four of those were attributed to fielding catches from Jeremy Bradshaw, Joshua Nolan, Riley Nolan, and Samraat Sharma.
Broadford had a short innings also, as Macedon had the gaps covered and the pressure on.
Joshua Nolan contributed 28 as its opening batter. Braden Hickey (18), and Riley Nolan made 25 runs, however Broadford also had a short innings, they left the pitch with an additional 89 runs.
Would Macedon have time to chase 316?
Cadel Howlett certainly wanted to, he claimed five wickets and two of those were assisted catches by Gareth De Rosayro.
The strong arm of Clayton claimed four, he was the trouble maker for Hickey, Lezaz Ul Hassan (3) and Blake Jones (3) with a momentous LBW.
In front of a very focused, albeit indoor home crowd, seven overs into the innings its umpire Kevin Oakley called it a day.
Broadford claimed victory and the icing on the cake is it defeated the top team on the ladder by 159 runs.
The seconds second turn
As always, in the McIntyre seconds the draw is reversed, and only Woodend and Rupertswood continued their game at Kyneton, and it was a close one.
Woodend were chased down and defeated by three runs, 145 to 148.
The result sees Rupertswood step up into the top spot on the ladder.
Fans can anticipate the start of another two-day series in round six next Saturday.
In the firsts, at Gardiner Reserve Wallan are playing Gisborne and Romsey will host Rupertswood.
Broadford travel to play Sunbury United at Langama Park and Macedon will host Woodend and its visa versa for the McIntyre seconds.
Following on from that the last round (8) for 2025 will be played on December 13.
Johnstone Shield firsts
Across the divide the sun was shining, at times, and the two-day match between Harkness and Kilmore continued at Arnolds Creek Reserve for a short time.
Kilmore needed 45 runs to win following a great start to their innings. The rain most likely called the game off; the final result was 138 to three out for 93.
The Eastern Hill and Diggers Rest Bulla Village match at Diggers Rest was abandoned, Eastern Hill finished 10 out for 264 however each side scored the points.
Eynesbury needed 252 runs to win against East Sunbury at Eynesbury. The rain called the game off.
Lancefield and Sunbury’s game went ahead for a short time only, Lancefield 128 across the series and Sunbury 200.
Johnstone Shield seconds
As always, the draw is reversed and one day games between Sunbury and Lancefield were abandoned.
Eastern Hill and Diggers Rest Bulla Village played at Kings Park in Seymour.
The home side won the toss and chose to bat first.
Billy Cox was splendid (114) in the early order and Josh Speechley (40) as opening batter. Richard Grant was just warming up; he finished on the pitch with 37 runs each assisting the team to post 211 demoralising runs for Diggers to chase.
Its opening batter, Cameron Morris had a crack (35) and later Andrew Knight made 28 runs. A pair of wickets each from Tim Rudd-Schmidt, Sam Brown, Brayden Speechley and Eric Loweke signalled the end for Diggers, 8 out for 145.
Kilmore hosted Harkness, and the game was clearly abandoned.
East Sunbury and Eynesbury at John McMahon Reserve was also abandoned.
Next week, the firsts commence their second series of two day matches and the seconds commence their first.
