By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest Bulla put in a strong batting performance to beat Woodend in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
The Burras have focused on improving their batting and the results are starting to show.
Woodend set a reasonable total of 7-192 from its overs, with Adam Johnstone top scoring with 50.
Rhys Berry was the pick of the bowlers for the Burras, taking 3-32.
Burras’ playing coach Rasika Batepola said they were determined to get the runs.
“It was a quick out-field,” he said.
“We fielded pretty well, but had a couple of bad bowling patches.
“On a normal ground it would be about 140 runs. We thought we could chase it down.”
The Burras got off to a good start with the bat, putting on 61 for the opening partnership.
They added just over 100 for the second wicket partnership to take control of the game.
They finished 4-194.
Photo Gallery: Woodend vs Diggers Rest Bulla
Lindon Dowsett made 72, while Blake Robinson made 47 and Kevin Barker made 39 at a run a ball.
Batepola said they had a lot of confidence after winning two of their past three games.
The other game was a draw against Gisborne, as rain meant they did not take to the field.
They currently sit fourth, having only lost to the undefeated Bacchus Marsh.
“There’s a great atmosphere on and off the field,” he said.
“Everyone has clicked and we have a lot of confidence right now.”
The Burras face third-placed Romsey in a one-day clash.
Batepola said they needed to win such games if they were to make the finals.
It’s the last one-day clash for a while, with the two-day cricket getting underway from round six.
Batepola said as a side they are better suited to red ball cricket.
In other results, Bacchus Marsh remains unbeaten after an easy win against Wallan.
The Bulls bowled Wallan out for 64, with Madushanka Ekanayake taking 5-28.
The Bulls were on track to make the runs without losing a wicket before Shaun Taylor was run out for 37 with just four runs needed to win.
It was only a minor hiccup, with the Bulls finishing 1-66.
Gisborne had a massive win against Sunbury to also remain undefeated and a Chris Burkett century guided Romsey to a big win against Sunbury United.
In the Johnstone Shield, St Anthonys suffered its first loss of the season, folding to Bacchus Marsh.
The Saints made 169, before the Bulls made 5-171 in reply.
It was a bad day for Eynesbury Eagles against Riddell. Tristan Francis made 69, but there was little support as the Eagles made just 90. Riddell finished 4-91.
Ashfield and Rupertswood were the other winners.
In the Jensen Shield, Sunbury United, Macedon, St Anthonys and Malmsbury were the winners.
FOR MORE GDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/ashfield-s-even-spread/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/woodend-looks-for-sweet-spot/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/undermanned-riddell-no-match-for-golden-point/
