By Tara Murray
Gisborne is through to a third straight Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup grand final, as captain-coach Jarryd Vernon got bragging rights over his brother.
Vernon led from the front in the Dragons semi final win against Romsey, making sure they didn’t lose a third close one this season to Romsey.
The win was set up with the bat, but the Dragons were just as impressive with the ball.
Vernon said they were relieved to make it through to the grand final again.
“It is awesome, they are pretty hard to come by,” he said. “It was fantastic to play in two the last two years, but there is still work to do.
“It’s nice to be there.”
Vernon said the main aim when they won the toss was to ensure that they batted out the overs. Romsey has proven that they are one side that can regularly chase down scores above 300.
“Even with 400 on the board, we knew they would be up for the challenge and we would have to bowl and field well,” Vernon said.
“We wanted to bat 80 overs and get above 300. To get above 400 was a great effort by the boys.”
Gisborne finished 6-407 from its overs.
Vernon made an unbeaten 217 off 243 balls. Matthew Bararke made 81 while Riley Vernon made 60.
Jarryd said it was nice to get some runs and help them win the match.
“I feel like I played a test match,” he said. “I’ll take making 200.
“To make 200 a lot goes your way, it was nice to get the runs but I’m more about winning.”
Vernon’s score is the highest by a Dragons player in the McIntyre Cup.
The previous record was held by Riley, who made 210 not out in a final before having to retire hurt after fracturing his eye socket after hitting a ball into his face.
“I definitely knew,” Jarryd said. “The only reason I knew as it was my brother’s and at about 190 I pointed to him and said I was coming for his record.
“It was nice to break the record.”
While Jarryd broke Riley’s record, Hayden Castle’s McIntyre Cup record of 220 not out remains. Vernon said he didn’t realise he was that close, but was struggling to see the ball at the end so wasn’t worried about it.
On Sunday, Romsey was in trouble early on as it slipped to 4-21.
Chris Burkett and Ben Way steadied Romsey to get it above 100. It struggled to get partnerships from then on before being bowled out for 156 in the 47th over.
Way top scored with 51
Vernon said it was a really good bowling performance.
“We knew the last two games we had played them they had taken it deep,” he said. “We were prepared to go 80 overs.
“Our opening bowlers Leigh Brennan and Josh Wills set the tone with Leigh taking the first three wickets.
“Myself and Riley through the middle chipped it back a little bit. Keeping them under 170 is really good and I could not have been more proud.”
Brennan finished with four wickets.
The Dragons, who are going for back-to-back premierships will face Sunbury United in the grand final after the Bees knocked off minor premiers Woodend.
“They have a lot of experienced guys in the team that have been in grand finals before,” Vernon said.
“We have to be at our best.”
