Sunbury United showed on Saturday it can’t be discounted from the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup top four race with a strong batting performance.
While the top three teams are fighting for top two and home finals, the race for fourth spot is still alive
Entering Saturday’s game, fourth placed Rupertswood is 6.2 points ahead of Sunbury United.
In the hardest of their three matches remaining, the Bees are in a good spot after day one against third placed Romsey. Romsey beat top two side Gisborne the round before.
After winning the toss, the Bees made 8-361 from their overs.
Skipper Damien Edwards top scored with 110 at the top of the order. It is Edwards second 100 of the season, with the first also coming against Romsey.
Upul Fernando and Ryan Billinghurst also both scored half centuries.
Taylor Stevenson and Chris Marienfeld took three wickets each for Romsey.
It will be a tough chase for Romsey, but it will take confidence in having chased down 286 against Gisborne in the previous round.
Gisborne also had a day out with the bat, piling on the runs against Macedon.
Again without injured captain-coach Jarryd Vernon, the Dragons were bowled out for 343 in the 78th over.
Riley Vernon top scored with 70 as seven players scored at least 20. Jarrod Catania, who came in at number nine, made a handy 39.
Alex Browne took three wickets for the Cats, bowling nearly 30 overs.
Woodend was closing in on victory against the Sunbury Kangaroos late on day one of their clash.
The Kangaroos were bowled out for just 129 after being sent in by Woodend.
Jason King top scored for the Kangaroos with 51, while Mace Green made 25.
Woodend opening bowler Harrison Sheahan took 5-31.
Woodend made some quick runs late on day one and will resume at 2-71. Marcus Stewart will resume on 23 not out and Hamish McDonald on nine.
Rupertswood is also in a strong position against Broadford in its match at Salesian College.
Broadford sent Rupertswood in on its home deck.
Rupo was bowled out for 257 in the 78th over.
Ned Crotty top scored with 73, while Kevin Barker scored a half century at the top of the order.
Broadford has only scored more than 200 twice this season, including earlier in the season against Rupertswood which chased it down.
Tara Murray
