Tara Murray
Woodend got a much needed win to sit in the top four at the Christmas break in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Facing Rupertswood, Woodend showed some positive signs with first the bat and then the ball to come away with a good win.
Woodend coach Greg Matthews said they’ve had an OK start to the season.
“We would have liked to have been a bit higher on the ladder,” he said. “The game we lost against the Kangaroos we felt like it was one that we should have won.
“The Sunbury United game we were in a relatively good position on day one and we were confident that we could roll them in the second week, but it wasn’t to be.”
Matthews said Saturday’s match with Rupertswood was a must win for them.
Woodend made 8-215 from its overs. Marcus Stewart top scored with 83.
Matthews said like they had for much of the season, they had started well with the bat, but this time the middle order stood up as well.
“We were pretty happy with that,” he said. “The oval was a bit slower than usual.
“We thought 215 was about right. We made a good start before losing a couple of wickets.
“After the opening partnership we are generally not taking advantage of the good starts. This time Marcus Stewart and Hayden Ingleton stepped up and got the run rate going. It was a defendable score.”
For Rupertswood, Joel Muir, John Lane and Ned Crotty took two wickets each.
Matthews said the aim for the group was to bowl Rupertswood out, something they’ve had struggles with this season.
It would be a massive step forward, with Rupertswood bowled out for 113 in 27.2 overs.
Max Howell made 42 in a lone hand for Rupo.
“They came out pretty quickly with the bat,” Matthews said. “We were able to hold our nerve.
“We got a few quick wickets and put the middle order under pressure. We kept the pressure on to finish the job and bowled them out.
Warren Else and Hayden Ingleton took four wickets each. In a big plus for Woodend, Tom Robson returned from an ankle injury.
Matthews said Robson played a massive role in their bowling line up and had he played more games, they could have had a couple more wins on the board.
Woodend sits in fourth spot at the break. It faces the Sunbury Kangaroos and Sunbury United after the break.
Matthews said both matches were must win.
In other results, Romsey proved too strong for the Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Redbacks, who are undefeated, made 9-208 from their overs with the Kangaroos finishing 8-160 in reply.
An undefeated Gisborne had no issues in accounting for Diggers Rest Bulla.
The Dragons made 8-290 on the back of 136 from Warren Kelly.
The Burras could only muster 116 in reply.
Sunbury United also had a big win, beating Macedon.
United made 9-227, with the Cats bowled out for 152 in the second last over.
