THE Gisborne and District Cricket Association competition featured a sunny start to round six senior matches, and the conclusion of two day matches in the McIntyre’s fixture.
Broadford crossed the divide to play Sunbury United at Langama Park where previously (on day one) Sunbury’s captain Fabian Fernando won the toss and elected to field.
Broadford’s big runs came from Braden Hickey (25), Dilsher Pal Singh (24), its captain Riley Nolan (24) and Jeremy Bradshaw late in the order (25).
The United’s captain Liam Farquhar claimed four wickets and Liam Sherlock two fielding catches. Broadford’s innings ended at a positive 186.
Early in the order, Sherlock made 37 runs before Hickey assisted at the stumps by Joshua Nolan dismissed the talent early in the order.
Fernando joined Damien Edwards on the pitch and added 72 runs, but it was Upul Fernando who cleared a century in the middle order, scoring 103.
Broadford was defeated by 123 runs, 309 to 186.
Wallan played away at Gisborne and winning the toss, the home side batted first and made steady runs with Spencer Jones (43), its captain Jarryd Vernon (47) and Tom Mousley late in the order (45).
Steven Bell claimed four wickets, assisted by two catches from captain Bryan Vance, and one each from Campbell Fowler and Spencer Whittingham.
Chasing 249, Matthew Clayton came out swinging (49) and Vance fell short of a century (98). Archie Moore added 33 runs, however the match concluded with a thrilling victory for Gisborne, 249 to 248.
Round six cemented Macedon, Gisborne and Romsey in the top three ladder positions.
McIntyre seconds
The sun was shining at Harley Hammond for the reverse order games.
Broadford’s batters had the pitch advantage after Sunbury United won the toss and elected to field.
In the middle order, batters Tyrell Dunne (32), captain Ashley Wood (44) and Taylor Shell (35) were finding plenty of allies and the side presented 210 runs for United to chase.
Jayden Beever was impressive with 59 in the middle order before Shell took his wicket assisted with a fine catch from Michael Mirabella.
United ran out of steam and Broadford were victorious by 17 runs, another fine win which puts them fourth on the ladder.
Wallan were defeated by Gisborne, 10/131 to 10/223 while Woodend annihilated Macedon in the biggest scoring game for the round, 2/367 to 8/171.
Rupertswood defeated Romsey to finish the round first on the ladder followed by Romsey and Woodend.
Johnstone Shield
In the highest scoring match of the two-day series, newcomers Eastern Hill defeated the Sunbury Kangaroos at Kings Park, 309 to 52.
Kilmore played Lancefield at Hunts Road when they confronted the Tigers on the pitch chasing 269.
Previously, Kilmore captain Dale Tassone opened their innings with a sterling 74 assisted at the opposite end by Shaun Suttie (33).
At the day’s end, Ben Dawson finished on the pitch with 52 runs including two of the sides sixes.
The big hits for the Tigers came from Jack Crosland (20), Ned Budde (15) and Lachlan Mitchell (13).
Kilmore’s fielders were on fire with Stuart Partridge taking three wickets, one was assisted by captain Tassone’s casual catch early in the order.
Lachlan Peggies’ fast bowling also saw the bails fly and the friendly crowd got behind Andrew Richardt dismissal assisted by Riley Callaghan’s catch.
Kilmore defeated Lancefield and also secured third position on the ladder, trailing Eastern Hill and Diggers Rest Bulla Village while Eynesbury defeated Harkness who finished seventh on the ladder above Lancefield.
Johnstone Shield Seconds
As always, the draw was reversed and Kilmore played Lancefield at Barkly Square to close their first two-day match for the season.
Previously, Kilmore won the toss and fielded with vigour; across the series Rhys Ferraro claimed five wickets and captain Steven Burns four.
Kilmore scored an outright victory on the second day, holding Lancefield to 182 in its second innings, before winning by 10 wickets in scoring 0/37.
Harrison Purcell (36), Rohan Audehm (43) and Oscar Taig (35) got it done for Kilmore while for Lancefield, captain Simon Laffan was performing strongly until Harley Austin assisted by fielder Zac Osmond dismissed him on 38.
Around the grounds, Eastern Hill defeated Sunbury Kangaroos by 216 runs at Eric Boardman and also defended their first position on the ladder, 323 to 107.
East Sunbury are in second place following an away victory over Diggers Rest Bulla, 231 to 108. Harkness challenged Eynesbury at Arnold Creek and claimed a 42-run victory, 260 to 218 however the percentages are in Eynesbury’s favour as they finished the round third on the ladder above their rivals.
