Tara Murray
Romsey is through to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final, but it wasn’t without a fright.
The Redbacks were red hot favourites entering the semi final against the Sunbury Kangaroos, who were playing in their first ever McIntyre final.
The Kangaroos with nothing to lose, pushing the Redbacks all the way, just falling short in the end.
Redbacks captain-coach Ben Way said they were relieved to be back through to another grand final.
“It was a bit close at the end of the day,” he said. “For a large part of the day they took it up to us.
“They were 2-30 and they started to play shots and had a bit of luck and things went their way during the day.
“We’re all keen to be part of another grand final.”
The Redbacks batted first on day one and piled on the runs as they have all season, making 7-325.
Corey Day top scored with 81 as all of Romsey’s top order got starts. Adam Fearnley took three wickets for the Kangaroos.
Way said they thought they had enough runs on the board, but knew it was a quick outfield at Romsey Park.
Way said the Kangaroos played like a team that knew they had nothing to lose on Sunday.
“They played lots of shots and none of them went to hand,” he said. “It was a long day out in the sun.
“They put it up to us and where they have come from the last couple of years to put up a challenge and a really good game.”
The Kangaroos batted patiently and had plenty of wickets in hand to attack late in the innings.
The total became too much as they were bowled out for 300 in the 76th over. Corey Woolley top scored with 97 at the top of the order.
Taylor Stevenson took 4-62 for Romsey.
Way said while the game was on the line late, it was an enjoyable last hour of cricket.
“We come together as a team,” he said. “We really put everything on the line and it was a good win with a group of mates.”
The Redbacks, who are looking for back-to-back premierships, will face Gisborne in the grand final.
The Dragons beat Sunbury United in the other semi final.
The two grand finalists are unbeaten this season, with the one match being the teams ending in a draw due to weather.
Way said it’ll be a good challenge.
“We are excited to get out there,” he said. “One of us will lost our first game and we’re hoping that it’s not us.”
