An even batting performance from Woodend has guided the side to its first win of the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season.
After a disappointing first-up loss, with a middle and lower order batting collapse, the Woodend batsmen stood up against Romsey on Saturday.
Needing 273 for victory, Woodend did it with ease with seven of the top eight batsmen reaching double figures.
After making the runs six wickets down, Woodend batted on making 7-367 from its 80 overs.
Woodend coach Michael Nalesnyik said it was a pleasing performance with the bat.
“Our home ground has a really fast outfield and we knew if we could bat the overs out we could get the runs,” he said.
“We had four of our top/middle order batsmen make over 50. To make a score well over 300 was really good. It was always going to be a tricky run chase.”
Warren Else top-scored with 83 not out, backing up his four wickets taken on day one of the match.
Peter Manser also had a good all round performance making 75, having taken five wickets on day one.
Nalesnyik, who made 69 himself, said the return of Manser to the club had been a big boost.
“Warren is always a consistent performer and with Pete we have two top all-rounders.
“We think Pete was the missing ingredient last year, a big spearhead quick, who can also make some runs.
“We’ve got him batting in the middle order. All the blokes know him and he’s fitted in well.”
Nalesnyik said besides a couple of players in the lower grades, the club had managed to retain its whole playing group, with a lot of depth across the board.
Woodend now faces Sunbury, which is coming off a big loss to Riddell.
In other matches, Gisborne claimed its first win of the season defeating Lancefield. Resuming at 2-40, the Dragons made the 170 needed without losing another wicket. They were bowled out for 262.
Sunbury United had a big win against Rupertswood.
Chasing 8-297, Rupertswood was bowled out for 165. Rupertswood was 4-140 in its second innings.
Diggers Rest Bulla managed to avoid conceding an outright loss to Bacchus Marsh, which had claimed first innings points last week.
Bacchus Marsh made 8-282, with the Burras making 5-52 in their second innings.
