Sunbury United seemed like for a second straight week it could pull off the nearly impossible but it wasn’t to be in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final.
After upsetting Woodend in the semi finals with a stunning bowling display, the Bees bowlers were going to need to do it again if they were to claim premiership glory against Gisborne on the weekend.
While they gave themselves some hope, the Dragons were too strong and claimed back-to-back premierships.
Bees captain Damien Edwards said they gave it everything but didn’t have enough runs on the board.
“We tried, but we couldn’t get over the line unfortunately,” he said. “They bat deep and we just couldn’t crack it wide open.”
The Bees won the toss on Saturday and decided to bat.
Upul Fernando was the only Bees batter to show any resistance with 54. It was tough going throughout the whole innings, as the Bees were bowled out for 121.
Edwards said their batting innings didn’t go to plan and they didn’t give themselves anywhere near enough runs on the board.
“Maybe another 50-60 runs, we are in the game,” he said. “But 120, you don’t hear of many teams winning from there.”
Gisborne lost two wickets before stumps, but at 2-44 was in control after day one.
They put on 20 runs to start day two, before the Bees struck three times in quick succession for the Dragons to slip to 5-68.
Among the wickets was captain Jarryd Vernon for a duck.
Edwards said it was a similar feeling to the week before against Woodend which they had got on top and went on to win.
“We were up,” he said. “We were thinking similar to last week that we can get on a roll.
“It’s a difficult game to win, we thought we were still a chance but they had a bit of a partnership which broke the back of it.”
Warren Kelly and Wilhem Mackay steadied to get the Dragons back on track and almost got the side home.
Kelly fell within sight of victory, but the Dragons did enough to finish 6-122.
Mackay finished 38 not out off 129 balls and was named player of the match.
Fabian Fernando took 4-29 for the Bees.
Edwards said that while it was still hard to have not gone all the way, it was a successful season after a slow start.
“We went away over Christmas and come back with a different mentality,” he said. “We started playing more as a team.
“The performances were really good after Christmas and we gave ourselves a chance against an unbelievable team.
“Overall, it’s pretty successful. If you offered anyone a grand final at the start of the year, definitely taking it.”
