By ADEM SARICAOGLU
ST ANTHONY’S was on the receiving end of a belting at the hand of Woodend in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup on Saturday.
After making just 190 seven days earlier at Woodend’s Gilbert Gordon Oval, the St Anthony’s bowling attack was put to the sword in a stunning 58-over dig from the Woodend top order.
Openers Daniel and Josh Eastley produced a 64-run stand before Warren Haffenden finally broke through for St Anthony’s, removing Josh Eastley for 30.
However the Woodend juggernaut could not be halted as Marcus Stewart then came in to add 59 alongside Daniel Eastley, who finished with 63.
Haffenden then removed Stewart for 48 with 164 on the board, but from there Woodend took St Anthony’s to the cleaners with Adam Johnstone and Luke Barker at the crease.
St Anthony’s had no answer as the pair combined for an unbeaten 122 runs – the majority of which came off Barker’s bat.
Woodend declared shortly after Barker (103 not out) reached his ton, with Johnstone at the other end holding firm unbeaten on 27.
St Anthony’s was then sent in for a second dig and was forced to navigate a fiery 23-over spell.
As it did in the first innings St Anthony’s struggled to get going, losing two wickets before even registering double figures on the scoreboard.
A dogged 30 from middle-order bat Robert Evans was the lone highlight as St Anthony’s stumbled its way through to stumps, finishing at 7/109.
St Anthony’s remains last with little hope of getting off the bottom of the table ahead of this weekend’s home clash against Wallan.
Meanwhile third-placed Bacchus Marsh suffered a stiff nine-run loss to fellow finals contender Sunbury at Clarke Oval on Saturday.
Chasing just 149 for victory, Bacchus Marsh struggled to contain strike Sunbury bowlers Jason McGann and Brad Hunter as the pair combined for eight wickets.
Ian Spiteri was the lone standout with the bat as Bacchus Marsh crumbled late in the piece, managing to reach 139 in response to fall 10 runs short of victory.
Bacchus Marsh will host Woodend at Maddingley Park this weekend.
