Harper Sercombe
Romsey remains undefeated in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup following its comprehensive defeat of Macedon on Saturday.
The Redbacks elected to bat last weekend, to kick off the two day clash against the Cats and took to the task perfectly.
A great start from opening batsmen Matthew Milne (42) and Taylor Stevenson (43) got the Redbacks away to an opening partnership of 76.
Corey Day and captain-coach Ben Way at six were able to keep the scoreboard rolling putting on 86 not out and 72 respectively.
The Redbacks finished on 6-302, leaving plenty of work for the Cats to do.
Way said they believed they were starting to play better as the season goes on.
“We’ve been working on making partnerships for a while now,” he said.
“We had a good opening partnership, it sets up the whole day, from that position you can put pressure on late which makes a bit of the difference, so it was really good.
“Me and Corey had a pretty good partnership as well.”
With the ball the Redbacks were strong as well, with the Cats dropping wickets throughout day two on Saturday.
However, the Cats eighth wicket stand between Christopher Axton and Brendon Scott of was the innings’ silver lining.
It was not enough, being bowled out for 162. Axton top scored with 42 not out.
“At one stage we had them eight for 94 and ended up making 160, at the end they took us on and hit a few boundaries and got away from us,” Way said.
“Jamie [Taylor] was the pick of the bowlers, he got four for 27.”
All six of the Redback bowlers were able to take a wicket demonstrating the versatility of the team’s attack which is something Way has been aiming for.
“Like our batting we’ve been trying to build up over the last few years to spread the load,” he said.
“We don’t want one person taking all of the wickets and one person making all the runs because at some stage it comes back to bite you.
“We’re trying to spread the load with our batting, Matt Milne is starting to make a few runs up the top he made 40 and then 50 odd not out in the second innings, so he’s really starting to play some really good cricket.
“With the bowling, everyone took a wicket, being able to turn to different people at different times, it just makes life as captain a bit easier if you’ve got multiple options that you’re comfortable going to.”
The Redback finished 4-104 in their second innings. Milne top scored with 57 not out.
This round, the Redbacks take on an also undefeated Gisborne outfit in a two-day clash at Gardiner Reserve.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Way said.
“We want to play those games where you’re playing the teams on top and they have been, they’ve been hard to beat during the home and away season over the last couple of years.
“They’re always strong, so we’re looking forward to hopefully our bowlers being able to put the pressure on them and making it tough for them to score runs.”
Sunbury United, Sunbury Kangaroos and Gisborne were the other winners.
