Tara Murray
Gisborne timed its run to perfection in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
After not having the season they would have liked across the senior grades, the Dragons are now celebrating after claiming their second premiership in three seasons.
Dragons president Andrew Headberry said the grand final against Romsey couldn’t have gone much better.
The match saw the third and fourth placed teams face off in Gisborne after causing upsets the week before against the top two teams.
“It was a great day out and the weather was beautiful,” he said.
“It was a very similar game to the week before against United. They never really got the run rate to where it needed to be.
“We always felt like we were in control and that they needed to make 180 to really test us.
“The only time we were a little concerned was when Ben Way was dropped, but he didn’t make many more.”
Romsey made 8-144 after being at 2-108 earlier in the innings. Way top scored with 44.
Josh McDonald took 4-31 off his nine overs, while Mick Allen and Jay King took one wicket each and were both very economical.
Headberry said they were always confident in getting the 145 needed for the win.
“I think winning the toss and bowling first, showed that we will back our main guys to chase the runs down.
“It was a pretty daunting when you get Mick [Allen] out, and then Jason [Wilson] walks in and Pat [McKenna] walks in after him.
“The only chance they had was to get those guys out cheaply.”
The Dragons finished 4-146, hitting the winning runs with 10 balls to spare.
McKenna made 37 not out, while Wilson (37) and Allen (36) were also among the runs.
Louis Moor took two wickets for Romsey.
McDonald was awarded the player of the match for his all-round performance. As well as four wickets, he made 19 at the top of the order.
He joins his father as a premiership player at the club.
“He didn’t have the greatest season,” Headberry said of McDonald. “He has built up as the season went on and bowled really well in the semi final and final.
“It’s a good story as he’s from a Gisborne sporting family.”
Headberry said it was good to finish the season with a premiership. He said it had been a bit of an up and down season with COVID-19 interruptions.
“What’s been really pleasing this year has been the social side of the club coming back strongly,” he said.
“We had eight senior teams so that’s a lot of people and there’s a real community feel around the place.
“The top grades have underperformed for most of the year, but came right at the end of the season and we got a premiership.”
The premiership is the club’s fourth in the McIntyre Cup after coming into the top grade in the 2014-15 season.
