Bacchus Marsh remains undefeated

Madushanka Ekanayaka is again among the wickets for Bacchus Marsh. Picture Damian Visentini

Bacchus Marsh’s hot start to the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup season continued on Saturday.

After three good wins to start the season, the Bulls easily made it a fourth win, accounting for Lancefield.

With 8-345 on the board after day one, the Bulls were always in the box seat to take the points.

Lancefield never looked likely and were bowled out for 150.

Bulls’ captain-coach Ben Robertson said it was another strong performance from the bowling attack.

“I think that our bowling is our strength,” he said.

“The score of 150 is the highest that had been scored against us. We know if we score over 200, in most games our bowlers will get the job done.”

Rhys Watson was the standout against the Tigers taking 6-55. Robertson said in the first four games there had been a real spread of standouts each game.

Watson and Madushanka Ekanayaka are both in the top 10 for wickets taken so far this season.

With the bat, Robertson is averaging 82 and James Lidgett averages 57.5 to both be in the top six run scorers.

Dennis O’Loughlin is also averaging 45.

“With both the batting and bowling we’re not relying on one person,” Robertson said. “There’s a spread of contributors.

“Rhys got six this week and Eka has got a couple of bags of fours. Ian and Dennis are chipping in with a couple of wickets.

“Both James and I have had good starts to the season, but the other guys are stepping up getting 30s and 40s.

“We’re not relying on myself or James to get the runs.”

Players from the Bulls second side are also pushing for spots in the top side, in another good sign for the club.

The win continues the Bulls unbeaten start to the season. Riddell also remains undefeated.

Robertson said the focus between now and the Christmas break was to continue with what they had been doing.

“If we can win the next couple of games before Christmas it will set us up for the back half of the year.”

Diggers Rest Bulla’s tough start to the season continued, with the Burras losing to Woodend.

Playing a one-dayer after there was no play on day one,  Woodend smashed 7-267 off its overs.

The Burras made 218 in reply. Lindon Dowsett top scored with 79.

Gisborne, Sunbury and Riddell were the other winners on the weekend.