Gellibrand just wanted to be competitive in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association McNamara Shield, now it’s a chance of playing finals.
After two straight promotions, Gellibrand moved into the division 2 competition which is shaping as one of the closest in the competition.
With back-to-back wins against sides sitting second the past two rounds, Gellibrand is in third heading into the final round of the season.
President Mark Keating said there are no easy games in this competition.
“It’s our first year in division 2,” he said. “At the start of the year we wanted to be competitive and we’ve been more than competitive.
“We’ve had to make sure we’re getting wins and it’s been like that every week, we have to win [to play finals].
“We’re a chance to make the four and we want to make the most of it.”
On Saturday, Gellibrand was able to get a vital win against Sunbury, which is also in the finals mix.
Gellibrand made 9-193 on day one of the match after being in trouble at 6-50.
Having put a competitive total on the board, Gellibrand’s bowlers stood tall and bowled Sunbury out for 105.
Jacob Macdonald took 4-12 for Gellibrand.
“We got into a spot of bother [on day one],” Keating said. ”We were able to get out of it.
“We got a couple of early wickets [on Saturday] and the boys bowled well.
“It was the best we had bowled all year.
“There was a little bit in the wicket and we bowled tight lines and lengths.
“It was a really pleasing performance.”
The win moves Gellibrand into third on the ladder.
It will face Williamstown CYMS in a one-dayer in the final round.
It will be a third straight match that Gellibrand is facing a side sitting in second. The CYs also have to make sure they win to assure a finals berth.
Keating said anything can happen from here in on.
“You have to make it there first and anything can happen,” he said. “We’ve been in semi and grand finals, which works in our favour.
“We’ve got those experiences the last couple of years.”
Keating said things were going well across the club with the club having 15 sides and a strong female program.
In other Steve McNamara Shield results, Williamstown CYMS beat West Newport.
Having made 174, the CYs were able to restrict West Newport to 115.
Trent Jones and Jakob Wojcik top scored with 23 each.
Hamish Cooper and Ben Johnson took three wickets each for the CYs.
Meanwhile, Newport-Digman was unable to get a reverse outright win against West Coburg St Andrews.
The Redbacks made 6-172 in reply to the Bulls’ 166.
The Bulls made 8-194 in their second innings to try and get a reverse outright result. Jackson French-Wright top scored with 61 off 39 balls at the top of the order.
The Redbacks were 5-86 when the game ended.
