Bacchus Marsh remains well and truly in the finals mix in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
With not much separating the competition’s teams and Riddell also pressing its finals claims, the Bulls had to win against Romsey on Saturday.
The Bulls made 271 on day one on the back of 97 from Dennis O’Loughlin and entered day two looking good.
Romsey started day two well, its top order getting among the runs, but the Bulls kept the pressure on with tight bowling and good fielding.
Romsey was well and truly in the game at 2-131, but once the Bulls started to get wickets they continued to fall.
Romsey lost 8-49 to be all out for 179.
O’Loughlin also starred with the ball, taking 5-61 off 19.2 overs, while Madushanka Ekanayaka and Ian Spiteri took two wickets each,
The win leaves the Bulls 0.74 points behind fourth-placed Diggers Rest Bulla with four rounds remaining. This week, the Bulls will face second placed Gisborne, which will be followed by a match up with third-placed Riddell.
Diggers Rest Bulla had a disappointing result against Gisborne in their two-day clash.
Having struggled with the bat, the Burras had to watch on as the Dragons had a field day during their innings.
The Dragons made a massive 7-337 in overtaking the Burras’ 101. Beau Valka was the star for the Dragons, making 116.
Lindon Dowsett, Kane Shaw and Darren Quarrell took two wicket each for the Burras.
The loss resulted in the Burras slipping from second to fourth.
In B grade, both Bacchus Marsh and St Anthonys suffered losses.
The Bulls, sitting in fourth spot, took on ladder leader Wallan.
Wallan chased down Bacchus Marsh’s 174 with ease, making 6-206.
The Bulls are just under four points clear of fifth-placed Macedon, which fell to an outright loss.
Brenton Payne was the pick of the bowlers for the Bulls, taking 2-51.
St Anthonys finals chances suffered another setback with a loss to East Sunbury. The Saints’ 161 was never going to be enough, with the Thunder passing the total four wickets down.
Robert Strugnell took two wickets for the Saints.
The Saints, who made last year’s B-grade grand final, are seventh and only ahead of winless Ashfield.
Bacchus Marsh’s hopes of having all its sides play finals remain alive.
Only its first XI side is currently outside the top four. The club’s fourth, fifth and sixth sides all had wins on the weekend, while the thirds lost in a top-of-the-ladder clash with Rupertswood.
