Romsey brothers Chris and Matthew Burkett had a day to remember in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup on Saturday.
The duo posted centuries to guide their side to an important win against Rupertswood.
It’s the first time in Romsey’s 140-year history that two brothers have scored centuries for the first XI in the same match.
For playing captain-coach Chris, the match was a memorable one.
“I can’t remember experiencing anything like that,” he said.
“We’ve played a lot together now. For us to both score centuries in the same game is pretty memorable.”
Despite their ‘tons’, the brothers spent little time at the crease together.
Needing 242 for the win, Chris came out firing at the top of the order before being bowled for 102 with the score at 147. “You’d think [Matthew and I] would have batted together for a lot of the innings, but it was only for an over and half to two overs,” Chris added.
“I was trying to set the platform for the middle order. I was seeing the ball well and Taylor [Stevenson] was doing his job at the other end perfectly.
“There were still a few runs to get when Matt came in and he made it look pretty easy, to be honest.”
Matthew was on about 60 when his team brought up the winning runs.
“Once we got those runs, I said, ‘Do what you want and have some fun’,” Chris said. “Once he got to 80 I thought he was going to go on and get the century.”
Romsey declared at 7-307 with Matthew unbeaten on 103.
The win is the second for Romsey this season. It’s in fifth spot, one of four sides equal on points.
Chris said the team was looking to continue building the platform it’s been working on the past couple of years.
“We’re a pretty young side with the oldest bloke 30, and I’m probably the next oldest at 25.
“Most of the team has been together for three or four years, and we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Chris said last season’s co-Sullivan medallist Ben Way would hopefully take to the field for the first time this season in coming weeks.
Elsewhere at the weekend, Bacchus Marsh was too good for Sunbury, Gisborne failed in chasing down Woodend’s total, and Riddell fell just six runs short against Diggers Rest Bulla.
