A fast finish wasn’t enough for the Gisborne and District Cricket Association to make finals in the Melbourne Country Week division 2 competition.
The GDCA lost its opening two games before it got going with the bat to win its last two games.
For a second straight year, the GDCA finished in fifth spot.
“Despite cracking 300 twice in a row and looking unstoppable, we’ve somehow finished fifth again and will miss the finals,”the association said on social media.
“Injuries cruelled us with the same 12 having to play every day, but we make no excuses.
“Hard to stomach for another 12 months but we’ll be back in 2027.”
The GDCA started with a loss to Warrnambool Moyne in the opening game.
The GDCA was bowled out for 152 with Marcus Stewart and Mark Barake top scoring with 27 apiece.
Warrnambool made the runs in the 40th over, finishing 9-153.
Taylor Stevenson took 5-53.
Day two the GDCA lost to the LaTrobe Valley.
A total of 9-177 wasn’t enough. Skipper Ben Way top scored with 41.
LaTrobe Valley got the runs with nine balls remaining, finishing 8-178.
Cameron Clayton took 6-22 off his 10 overs, while Jarryd Vernon bowled tightly for 0-19 off his 10 overs.
The GDCA finally got going on day three against the Bellarine Peninsula.
Chris Burkett led the way with 100 not out as the GDCA made 6-304.
Vernon took four wickets to help restrict the Bellarine to 240.
The GDCA then finished off with a win on Thursday against the South West.
Batting first again, the GDCA was bowled out for 303 in the final over.
Way was the star with 86 at the top of the order.
The bowlers then backed him up, bowling the South West out for 119.
Vernon and Stevenson took three wickets each.
