By Tara Murray
An understrength Macedon was no match for Wallan in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
With seven players unavailable and acting skipper Chris Axton missing on day two, it was always going to be a tough ask for the Cats against a Magpies side looking to keep the pressure on the top four.
The Magpies took full advantage and claimed an outright win to move into second spot. Cats secretary John Ewels said they always knew it would be a tough couple of days and were expecting to suffer a big loss.
“The side was made up of second XI players and kids,” he said.
“We were really affected having seven or eight players out.
“Being the Australia Day weekend, a lot of players went away. As we were in a lower grade last season, we had a bye and some didn’t realise that they had to play this year.
“The problem with our sides, one plays in Johnstone Shield the other plays in club grade – there’s a big difference between them.
“We were just outclassed.”
Wallan set a massive 7-408 on day one, to hold the upper hand heading into Saturday. The Cats were bowled out for just 41 in the 36th over.
The Magpies quickly enforced the follow on and were able to bowl the Cats out for a second time, this time for 66.
For Macedon, it has been a tough year coming back up to the Johnstone Shield.
PHOTO GALLERY: Macedon vs Wallan
They sit second bottom with three rounds remaining Ewels said injuries and availability hadn’t helped their cause and they were hoping to finish the season on a high.
In other matches, East Sunbury cemented its spot in the top four with victory against the Sunbury Kangaroos.
Resuming at 2-28 in reply to 105, the Thunder were able to get the job done with ease, declaring at 6-107.
Playing coach Liam Sherlock batted throughout most of day two, run out for 55 after they hit the winning runs.
The Kangaroos in their second innings finished 3-91. Corey Woolley finished 41 not out.
The win keeps the Thunder on top, while the Kangaroos slip out of the top four to sit sixth. Just over 13 points separates the top six, meaning every result is important.
Rupertswood also slipped out of the top four, with a loss to another top four side Gisborne.
Needing 212 for victory, Rupo fell agonisingly short in what turned out to be a thriller. Rupo had plenty of time to make the runs, but the constant fall of wickets hurt them, as they were bowled out for 204.
Bacchus Marsh beat Sunbury United in the other match.
