Tara Murray
The hard work to get a waterlogged pitch ready to play on paid off for Woodend in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup on Saturday.
Photos of the wicket posted on social media on Friday, showed plenty of water covering the pitch after some heavy rainfall.
Coach Josh Eastley and three other McIntyre Cup players set about trying to make sure they got a game up.
Their round one match against Macedon had already ended in a draw after rain.
“We got the super soaker out,” Eastley said. “There was eight centimetres of water on the pitch and it would still be on it if we didn’t get to work.
“The under-15s played on it in the morning and then we played. It was majorly important to get out there and we were lucky enough to get the win.
“If you have two washouts in the first three rounds it does make it hard.”
Woodend was facing a Rupertswood side that had won both its matches entering the game.
After deciding to bat, Woodend made 9-217.
Eastley said they thought that was a par score on their ground with that despite having a bad patch in the middle where they went from 4-128 to 8-147.
Harry Lawson and Eastley top scored with 47 apiece. Ned Crotty took three wickets for Rupo.
Eastley said with some good bowling depth they were confident of stopping Rupo’s momentum.
The key man to get out was Rupo skipper Matt Twentyman, who had started the season with back-to-back 100s.
He was one of five Rupo batters to go out for a duck.
“Harrison Sheahan had one rise a bit on him and was able to get caught in the slips,” Eastley said.
“All our bowlers bowled exceptionally well. There’s been plenty of positives so far.”
Rupo was bowled out for 122 in the 25th over. Crotty and Kevin Barker scored 38 each, but there was little other support.
Sheahan took three wickets for Woodend, while Joe Monk, Greg Matthews and Hamish McDonald took two wickets each.
For Eastley, who has come back to the club this season, he couldn’t complain about things so far.
“Everyone has been phoenamel so far,” he said. “We’ve got a few new players, five or six.
“There’s four different players in the McIntyre side from last year and there’s more that are looking to break into it.
“We’re getting 40 players at every training, it’s crazy for a small town like Woodend. It’s been really enjoyable and makes training easy when everyone wants to improve.”
Woodend now faces Broadford for the first time this Saturday.
Eastley said they feel they have enough experience on turf to be able to handle the challenge.
In other games, Sunbury United beat Macedon.
The Bees made 178 before restricting the Cats to 134.
Gisborne was too strong for the Sunbury Kangaroos. The Dragons made 182 before bowling the Kangaroos out for 133.
While Romsey got over the line against Broadford. The Redbacks finished 5-163 in reply to 7-162.
