Tara Murray
Rupertswood is on top after day one of its match with East Sunbury in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
With a win possibly pushing Rupertswood back into the top six and further increase its gap on the bottom sides, the match is massive in the context of the season.
Playing at home, Rupo decided to bat first putting on 9-285 from its overs
Rupo captain-coach Andrew Pizaro said they were pretty happy with that total.
“It’s fantastic,” he said. “A lot of things went to plan and the boys were able to execute with the bat.
“There were a couple of wickets we weren’t happy with the result, but as a team we backed each other up and we got some good scores from others to put a good score on the board.”
Nathan Shoesmith, who has returned to the club from playing premier cricket in recent seasons, top scored with 70.
The inclusion of Shoesmith is a handy one for Rupo, with the batter playing five first XI premier games last season.
Pizaro said they were thrilled to have Shoesmith back at the club where he played his junior cricket.
“In so many ways having Nathan back is fantastic,” he said. “He’s an energetic sports person who has already improved our side.
“A bloke at his age, he has already instilled leadership on the others players around and people will look that we’ve got a good batsmen, but we’re also got a good person at the club.”
Pizaro said he wasn’t sure what Shoesmith’s plan was long term, but they were enjoying having him back at the club.
Lachlan Wilkins took four wickets for the Thunder.
Pizaro said they know how important this match is in the context of their season,
“You never take anything for granted,” he said. “East Sunbury have a couple of good players.
“It only takes one ball to get a batsmen out, Things went our way on Saturday, so far it was a good decision to bat.”
Big scores were the order of the day across the rest of the competition with three batters reaching triple figures.
Diggers Rest Bulla piled on the runs against the Sunbury Kangaroos, making 353.
Skipper Rasika Batepola hit his second century of the season making 103 off 119 balls. The innings included 15 fours.
Woodend’s Xavier Tadd scored his first century of his career against Sunbury United,
Passing 50 for the first time in senior cricket, Tadd went on to make 110, which included 13 fours.
Woodend was bowled out in the 71st over for 235.
United had to face nine overs at the end of day one. It will resume at 1-15.
Bacchus Marsh’s Brenton Payne also joined the century club on the weekend against Wallan.
Having made triple figures in the Johnstone Shield earlier this season, Payne made his first McIntyre Cup 100 against the Magpies.
Payne made 100 as the Bulls made 8-266 from their overs.
The match between first and fourth was the odd match out, with the bowlers on top after day one.
Romsey won the toss and elected to bat against Gisborne.
Captain and the competition’s second highest run scorer Ben Way was quickly back in the sheds for just nine.
The rest of the Redbacks top order showed some form, but no batter could go on with it.
After being 3-76, the Redbacks lower order failed as the side was out for just 134 in the 77th over.
Matthew Milne top scored with 29, but it was tough going for the batters.
Mick Allen and Leigh Brennan took three wickets for the Dragons.
With 16 overs to face at the end of the day, the Dragons were keen to get through unscathed..
They lost an early wicket and then two more, including competition leading run scorer Jarryd Vernon, just before stumps.
The Dragons will resume at 3-33.
