Blink and you’ll miss it. That would be the most appropriate way to describe St Anthony’s unfortunate first outing in Gisborne District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Shield on Saturday.
The newly promoted B-grade champion was rolled for 34 as Woodend won by nine wickets at Melton Recreation Reserve.
St Anthony’s won the toss and batted but started disastrously when Brad Stilsby was run out without scoring.
Three wickets followed in quick succession to leave St Anthony’s 4-7.
PICTURE GALLERY: Woodend v St Anthony’s
When captain Jeff Evans (3) fell to Joshua Eastley (4-13), the innings’ only double-figure partnership was broken.
Three more wickets fell with the score on 27 as St Anthony’s capitulated to be all out 34 in the 25th over.
Woodend needed only 14 overs to pick off 1-36 in reply, with Daniel Eastley (16no) and Adam Johnstone (12) ensuring a big percentage boost.
At Langama Park, many hands made light work for Sunbury United as the reigning premier beat Romsey by 93 runs.
An even spread of scores – 44 for Andrew Powell and 41 for Leif Louwen-Skovdam – combined with two wickets each for Joshua Wallace, Peter Jaeger and Louwen-Skovdam, set up the comfortable win.
United made 6-205 batting first. The Redbacks were dismissed for 112 in reply.
At Maddingley Park, visiting Sunbury made 5-186 to chase down Bacchus Marsh’s 7-184 with an over to spare. Dylan Wright’s 87 held together Bacchus Marsh’s innings.
Sunbury opener Matthew Botten (54) was playing a similar role in the chase until his dismissal left Sunbury 5-112. Heath Boffey (58no) and skipper Jason McGann (43no) combined with an unbeaten 68-run partnership to get Sunbury home.
Riddell (3-134) won with 7.5 overs to spare chasing down Wallan’s 6-131. Luke Castle (49) top scored for the Bombers.
In one-dayers this Saturday from 1pm, Woodend plays Bacchus Marsh, Romsey hosts Riddell, Sunbury plays Sunbury United in the grand final re-match, and
St Anthony’s will seek redemption away at Wallan.