Tara Murray
It’s a premiership 40 years in the making for Romsey.
After a number of near misses in recent seasons, Romsey has finally claimed a premiership in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association top grade.
After loss in the first week of finals, Romsey responded to knock off Gisborne in the semi final.
The Redbacks continued that form in the grand final, beating a red hot Sunbury United to claim the McIntyre Cup premiership.
Romsey secretary Tim McCarthy said it was a really good feeling to have broken the drought.
“It is fantastic,” he said. “It’s 40 years since we have won a premiership in the top grade.
“To do it this year, it’s a huge effort.”
Romsey batted first and were in trouble at 4-55. The experienced combination of Ben Way and Taylor Stevenson then came together.
The pair put on 109 for the fifth wicket partnership to get the total back on track.
Romsey was eventually bowled out for 199 in the second last over.
Stevenson made 68, while Way made 67. McCarthy said it was the sort of performances they had become used to over the years from both players.
He said they were pretty confident that it would be enough.
“Most finals are decided by 25-30 runs,” he said. “There’s always a 10 per cent premium on runs on the board.
“It’s normally been a high scoring ground, but they didn’t mow it during the week, so it was slow and we just had to adapt on day one.”
At 3-126 United was well and truly in the game. McCarthy said with the run rate still fairly high, it put the pressure back on United to score.
“The run rate was never out of control,” he said. “It was still about four runs an over and they had to hit runs.
“It could easily become 5fa and we’ve back in control.”
It was the way it played out. Romsey’s bowlers took control of the game, bowling United out for 172.
Stevenson and Day took three wickets each. Day only bowled five overs, but bowled three spells and taking a wicket in the first over of each of those spells.
McCarthy said it was a real team performance with the ball, which is something that they prided themselves on.
Stevenson was named player of the match for his all-round performance.
The premiership caps off a successful period for the club, with all three sides in grand finals this season.
“We all caught up last night [Saturday] and worked out the last three years of the nine grand finals, we’ve competed in eight and the other we made a semi final.
“It’s been a real process and building of the club. There’s been no influx of players. It’s been a full club field and hopefully we’ll have substantial success for years to come.”
