Tara Murray
Gisborne is making sure it saviours the moment after winning through to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final.
The Dragons won through to the decider after beating Sunbury United in their semi final on Saturday.
For the Bees, it’s a straight sets exit from the finals, having gone through the regular season undefeated.
Dragons captain Jason Wilson said group was keen to enjoy the moment, with grand finals not something that comes around every year.
“Myself, Mick Allen, Darcy Nolan and Jay King have played in some of the recent flags we’ve won,” he said.
“For the others this is all new for them. There’s some pretty young guys in the side too, it’s a good mix of experience and youth in the side.
“We spoke about… they’re not easy to get to and not easy to win.
“It’s a privilege to play in grand finals. I’ve said to the boys don’t take if for granted it might not ever happen again.”
On Saturday, the Dragons didn’t get off to the best start against the Bees.
When they settled into the game, things turned in their favour.
“We didn’t start all that great, but after about 12 to 15 overs, we then we got two wickets in an over and I thought it changed the game,” Wilson said.
“We consistently took wickets throughout and that kept them from taking a swing at the end as they didn’t have the wickets in hand.
“It was a really good comeback from our guys they were in the box seat.”
The Bees were bowled out for 130 with seven balls remaining. Jay King took 3-20.
Wilson said having played matches against the Bees and Bacchus Marsh late in the season, where the scores were around the 180 mark, they were thrilled to restrict them to that total.
Gisborne made the runs with ease, finishing 1-131.
Mick Allen made 92 off 119 balls, to continue his good run of form.
Wilson said they didn’t have to take any chances in the run chase.
“It’s a luxury as a captain to have one of the best bats [Allen] in country Victoria, probably two of the best bats with Patty [Pat McKenna] who just as good if not better.
“We didn’t have to take too much risk having to score at three an over.
“It was alway going to be hard for them, they were going to have to the wickets so we just made sure not to take too many risks.
“We put on a good partnership of 89 and that sort of took the wind out of them.”
The Dragons will face Romsey in the grand final, after Romsey upset Bacchus Marsh. Romsey skittled Bacchus Marsh for just 46.
Wilson said while many people wouldn’t have predicted a Gisborne and Romsey grand final, he said he knew that Romsey were capable of knocking off any team.
The grand final will be played on Saturday at Gardiner Reserve in Gisborne.
“If you can do the basics reply well, don’t have to do too much more,” Wilson said. “Hold your catches and field well they make a big difference.”
