By Tara Murray
Gisborne held its composure against a determined Sunbury United side to claim back-to-back Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup premierships.
The Dragons, who have been in sensational form with the bat heading into the grand final, didn’t have it all their own way against a Bees side that had to fight hard to even play finals.
There were no big scores on the weekend, as the bowlers ruled the roost.
The Dragons were able to do enough to claim the win and a second straight premiership.
Captain-coach Jarryd Vernon said it was pretty special.
“It is good, obviously a lot of hard work goes into it over a period of time,” he said. “Our boys have put in a lot of effort and I think it was a deserving win for the amount of effort and commitment our boys have shown over the last six months.”
The Dragons had a few nervous moments on Sunday as they chased down the runs.
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.
Leigh Brennan took 4-37 for the Dragons.
Vernon said Brennan was nicknamed Mr March at the club.
“I thought our efforts yesterday [Saturday] with the ball and in the field were the best I’d seen over probably the last two years,” Vernon said.
“But grand finals are funny games and anything can happen which we could see.”
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 Vernon for a duck. He felt they had the batting to get the job done.
“We’ve done it all year and shared the load,” he said. “I had all faith in my players that they could get it done.”
Warren Kelly and Will 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.
Vernon said the character that some of the boys showed while there was a bit of pressure on allowed them to steady the ship.
“Wil and Warren Kelly stood tall and got us in the position to win the game,” he said. “Credit to United they took it all the way and it was a good game of cricket.”
Mackay finished 38 not out off 129 balls and was named player of the match.
He is one of a bunch of players that have come through the ranks at the Dragons and now in the first XI side.
“We have a group of five or six players that are under-21,” Vernon said. “All played juniors here.
“For Will to do what he did today [Sunday] at just 20 years old, shows the maturity of them and how much they have learned over the last few years.”
The premiership was Vernon’s first as coach having been part of several as a player.
He said it was a bit of a different feeling with the fifth XI also winning its premiership.
