Tara Murray
Gisborne’s hopes this Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season got an extra boost last week with a former player returning.
Having already signed Jarryd Vernon and Leigh Brennan in the off season from the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, the Dragons last week welcomed back Riley Vernon to the club,
Vernon, like his brother, played last season with Spotswood in the VSDCA.
Dragons’ president Andrew Headberry said they were thrilled to have Riley back at the club.
“Riley came back during the week,” he said. “He played the first game at Spotswood before deciding he was better off at home.
“We’re happy to have him back. The opening batting spot was one spot we still needed.”
Vernon was busy on the weekend helping guide the side to victory with the bat alongside his brother.
Facing the Sunbury Kangaroos, who were playing their first game of the season, the Dragons bowled them out for 133 on the second last delivery.
Jarryd Vernon and Mick Allen took four wickets apiece.
After losing an early wicket, the Vernon brothers got going and took the side to victory. The Dragons finished 1-135, with Jarryd on 81 not out and Riley 39 not out.
Headberry said they were pretty happy with how things were going.
“The Kangaroos got off to a good start and then it was the Dragons from there on,” he said.
“Mick hasn’t had to bat yet, which is pretty cool.”
Headberry knows that there are more challenges ahead, with some of their early matches with some of the highly rated sides washed out.
“We’re looking forward to getting some good hit outs,” he said. “We’ve got a couple of two-dayers coming up which is better for the guys.”
Headberry said their second and third XI sides were struggling a little bit with personnel, but things were going well for the father-daughter, father-son team.
In other McIntyre Cup results on Saturday, Sunbury United was too strong for Diggers Rest Bulla.
Both winners in round one, the Burras made 8-178 from their 45 overs with Indika Massalage top scoring with 32.
Senura Perera took 3-23 for United.
United opener Liam Sherlock set the tone early with 71 off 85 balls. Once he was out, United were able to still do enough to hit the winning runs with nearly six overs remaining.
United finished 7-179.
Gayan Welikalage took two wickets for the Burras.
Woodend opened its account with a win against Wallan.
Woodend made 6-190 from its overs with Marcus Stewart top scoring with 80 at the top of the order.
The bowlers then did the job, bowling Wallan out for 150. Harry Lawson took four wickets for Woodend.
Romsey remains undefeated after beating Rupertswood.
Rupo were bowled out for 117. Corey Day took 5-17 for Romsey.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for the Redbacks with the bat, but they made the runs, finishing 5-118. Day top scored with 30. John Lane took two wickets for Rupo.
Bacchus Marsh opened its season with a big win against East Sunbury. The Thunder was bowled out for 98, with Bacchus Marsh making 5-101 in reply.
