With the conclusion of a round of two-day matches and a round of one-day matches, the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup ladder was always going to get a shake up on the weekend.
Sunbury lost as many matches as it had for the season, Riddell, who was on bottom ladder after six rounds now sits on top of the ladder, while Gisborne briefly slipped outside the top four before regaining its spot.
Woodend is back in the top four, while Diggers Rest and Bacchus Marsh sit just outside a finals spot.
At the other end, Rupertswood moved off the bottom ladder, in a big weekend for the competition.
The cricket started on Saturday with the conclusion of two-day matches started the weekend before.
Riddell had already claimed first innings points against Sunbury on day one, and the Bombers were keen to keep batting this week.
The Bombers made 225, with Haydn Ross top scoring with 50 not out.
Sunbury, in its second innings, finished 6-85. Jack Landt was the best of the batsmen making 36.
Diggers Rest Bulla easily accounted for Rupertswood in their clash.
Resuming at 2-61 chasing 125, the Burras made 170 with Andrew Knight top scoring with 46.
Rupertswood finished 2-101 in its second innings.
Woodend’s 9-310 was always going to be too much for Romsey. The Redbacks could only manage 187, with the Burkett’s, Chris and Matt, the pick of the batsmen.
Warren Else took 4-53 for Woodend.
Woodend was 2-69 in its second innings.
The match of the round was between Gisborne and Bacchus Marsh. The Bulls had set the Dragons 190 for victory, with the Dragons falling five runs short of victory.
Madushanka Ekanayaka took four wickets for the Bulls.
The results left the ladder with Sunbury on top, followed by Riddell, Diggers Rest Bulla, Bacchus Marsh, Gisborne, Woodend, Romsey and Rupertswood.
The ladder didn’t stay that way for long, with the one-day matches changing things up.
The big result was bottom side Rupertswood knocking off ladder leaders Sunbury.
Sunbury made 8-172 from its overs and going on Rupertswood’s recent form it would have thought it would be enough.
Rupertswood though finally found some form with the bat, making 6-174 with Karl Sutherland making 56.
The win moved Rupertswood off the bottom of the ladder with two rounds remaining.
Riddell easily accounted for Bacchus Marsh to move to the top of the table.
The Vernon brothers, Jarryd with the ball and Riley with the bat, helped Gisborne to an easy win over Romsey and regain their spot in the top four.
Woodend, which started the weekend in sixth, now sits fourth after beating Diggers Rest Bulla.
Two two-day matches remain before finals.
