By Oliver Lees
Gisborne’s firing senior batsmen have helped propel them into the hunt for this year’s premiership in the McIntyre Cup division of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association.
After round 11, Gisborne had won five matches on the trot either side of round seven and eight, which were cancelled due to COVID-19 protocol.
With six wins, three draws and two losses, the club sat just three points behind Bacchus Marsh and eight points behind the unbeaten Sunbury United.
Gisborne’s heavyweight batting lineup was on full display in round 11, when the club (3/291) defeated Rupertswood (5/142).
After winning the desk and electing to bat, Allen, a previous league best and fairest winner, got off to a slow start.
He remained scoreless after 20 deliveries, but managed to turn his fortunes and post his best individual tally of his career.
He survived all 45 overs to score an unbeaten 196 from 151 balls.
The knock included 22 fours and eight sixes.
Allen told Star Weekly it felt good to find some form.
“It felt really good, to be honest it was out of the blue. but when it happens, you just have to make the most of them,” he said.
“At the start I couldn’t get my timing going, I didn’t get my hundred up until the 32nd over.
“It all just clicked. I don’t know how it happened, I took advantage of some average deliveries, and the last little bit was a bit of fun.”
The total was the second highest in the club’s first XI history, behind Simon Harman’s knock of 199 not out in the 2008-09 season.
Gisborne’s captain Jason Wilson also made a handy contribution, scoring 62 from 94 deliveries.
After round 11, Wilson had a season average of 87 with the bat, including three unbeaten half centuries.
Sent in to chase the total, Rupo couldn’t muster a run rate anyone near what was necessary to win the match.
Opening batsman Daniel Kavanagh made a sluggish 30 off 91 balls, while Jayden Swallow high scored with 31 off 25.
Nine of Gisborne’s starting XI were given the opportunity to roll the arm over.
Darcy Thomas collected 2/22 off five overs.
Allen said he was pleased with the direction the team was heading at the crucial late stage of the season.
“[Wilson’s] firing along, he batted really well all year and has kept us together,” he said.
“We’re starting to string a few wins together which is good. We have a lot of youth in the side and have chopped and changed, with five or six debutants.
“While we’ve had the experience in batting, our bowling is pretty inexperienced, but it’s coming on in leaps and bounds.”
