A second straight loss to Bacchus Marsh has ended Romsey’s Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season.
After previously facing off in the final round of the season, in a game the Bulls dominated, Romsey was looking to turn the tables in the semi-final at the weekend.
Playing finals for the first time in eight years, Romsey got off to the worst possible start, losing its two star batsmen Chris Burkett and Ben Way, before the score reached double figures.
The two are both in the top-10 run scorers for the season and the key to Romsey’s batting line-up.
Aaron Paterson and Damian Devlin were soon back in the shed as well, as Romsey was in trouble at 4-37.
Romsey steadied and at 5-124 the innings was evenly poised.
The Bulls stepped up a level and returned to playing the cricket they had all season, taking three quick wickets.
The Romsey tail wagged to get the score to 200.
Matthew Hoyt top-scored for Romsey with 63, while Mitchell Clement and Adam Frost provided handy contributions down the order.
The Bulls started well before losing both openers in the space of three runs and soon found themselves at 4-91.
With plenty of batters in the shed, the Bulls didn’t panic and set about getting the job done.
James Lidgett was the key to the Bulls’ innings, with a patient 76 before being run out, with the winning total in sight.
The Bulls didn’t have any issues, finishing 5-201 to seal their grand final spot.
Alex Porter finished 52 not out.
Paterson took three wickets for Romsey.
The win leaves the Bulls seeking the perfect season with only Woodend standing in their way.
Woodend made it through to the grand final, with a strong win against Riddell.
Both sides will be playing to end McIntyre Cup premiership droughts of more than 10 years.
