Tara Murray
The depth is on show at Romsey with the club having all three sides through to Gisborne and District Cricket Association grand finals for a second straight season.
After winning the Club North and Johnstone Shield titles 12 months ago and a McIntyre Cup grand final appearance, the club is back at the pointy end of the season.
While the club has lost the division 2 grand final and Johnstone Shield finals, it still has the chance to bring home some silverware in the McIntyre Cup grand final this weekend.
Romsey secretary Tim McCarthy said they were proud of what they had been able to do as a club.
“To have all three teams through to the grand final two years in a row is fantastic,” he said.
“We’ve had a lot of depth and we’ve been able to do that. It’s a whole club approach and we’ve been building slow and steady.
“We’ve picked up some good players along the way in Tim Dale and Ben Way, which has helped as our junior players have developed over time.
“The culture is about one club. There’s a sense of belonging and that shows on the field and we’re proud of that fact.”
Romsey stunned Gisborne in its McIntyre Cup semi final to win through to the grand final.
The Dragons had lost just one game for the season and had been favourites heading into the finals.
McCarthy said they had been disappointed with their performance in the opening week of the finals and had been keen to bounce back.
Romsey’s bowlers did the job on day one bowling Gisborne out for 123.
McCarthy said the group bowled really well as a collective.
“It was time to step up and show what we are capable of,” he said.
“It wasn’t just one or two players stepping up, it was a team result.
“Louis Moor had a brilliant spell. Corey Day, Aaron Paterson and Taylor Stevenson all played well, I can go right through the bowlers.”
The key in the game was Romsey batting well late on day two to take control heading into the second day.
At 1-48, McCarthy said they couldn’t have asked for much more.
“Nathan Hoy and Matty Milne got through to stamps and got there with intent,” he said.
“They started off well and it was finished off by Tim and Ben.”
Romsey needed just 41 overs to get the runs, finishing 3-124.
