Sunbury has claimed its first win of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup Premier Firsts season in fine fashion.
After setting Romsey a target of 243 for victory on the back of some solid batting from its younger brigade the previous weekend, Sunbury’s more experienced bowlers did the job on Saturday.
In a devastating opening spell by Jason McGowan and Heath Boffey, the Roar had Romsey in dire straits at 5-2.
Sunbury maintained the pressure to bowl Romsey out for just 82.
For Roar captain-coach Brad Hunter, it was the win the side had been working towards.
“We had been building for the last couple of weeks and knew a win wasn’t far away,” he said.
“It was a good feeling for the young kids to experience that success.”
Hunter said the Roar got a significant boost from having an extra experienced bowler to keep the pressure on once the opening bowlers had delivered their overs.
And the Roar couldn’t have asked for a better man for the job, with Jason McGann returning to the side.
McGann, one of the competition’s best players, retired at the end of last season.
“We needed a third bowler who can bowl the right line and hit the right spot,” Hunter said.
“Jason wants to play the rest of the season, but we’ll see how his body holds up.
“He’s on light duties and will sometimes only play as a batsman and may not play every game.”
McGann finished with three wickets, as did Boffey, while McGowan took four wickets.
While the experienced players got the job done with the ball, Hunter was quick to praise the batting efforts of Dylan Landt and Lachlan and Stephen Treweek, who set up the win on day one.
In its second innings, Romsey finished on 2-196, with Matthew Milne making 81.
Hunter said the Roar had used Romsey’s second innings to give the side’s younger players opportunities.
“We didn’t try and go for the outright win,” he said.
“We’re not in a position this season to be going for outright wins. Stevie [Treweek], who is my vice-captain, captained the second innings to get some experience.
“We opened the bowling with Josh Goater and Mitch Johnston got a few overs, as did the Treweek boys.
“Boffey and Lachlan Treweek were the wicket takers.”
Hunter said the club was happy with how the season was going to date.
The Roar’s second and third XI sides are sitting in their respective top two while also blooding youngsters.
Hunter said the ongoing challenge for the club was to make sure it didn’t push young players too far, too early.
In other McIntyre Cup results, Sunbury United claimed victory against Diggers Rest, Gisborne scored an outright win against Wallan and Bacchus Marsh was too good for Woodend.
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