Tara Murray
Diggers Rest Bulla’s bats failed to fire on Saturday against Wallan in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
After winning their first game back in the Johnstone Shield, the Burras faced a tougher challenge against the Magpies on Saturday.
Burras captain-coach Rhys Berry said it had been a real mixed start for them.
“It was made a bit hard with a bye in round one and then played Eastern Hill in week two on a turf wickets that wasn’t quite there,” he said.
“We made 97 before rolling them for 45 and got out of jail.”
On Saturday, after deciding to bowl, the Burras restricted Wallan to 155, bowling them out in the last over.
Bradley Fleming took 3-32 for the Burras, while Nathan Anderson and Rhys Berry took two wickets each.
Berry said after the Magpies started well they were able to peak them back and the target was around the mark after looking like it would be beyond 200.
The Burras got off to a solid start in the run chase and were 0-33.
From there they struggled to get a partnership going and were bowled out for just 108.
Berry said it was a bit of a reality check for the group and they still had some work to do.
“We’re still working out where everyone fits,” he said. “We’ve got Brad Fleming from Sunbury Kangaroos and he’s opening the batting and Dylan Caruana is batting at four.
“We’ve got a couple of other new players in the twos.”
Fleming top scored with 28 at the top of the order.
The Burras face Aintree this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Aintree got its first win of the season, beating Eynesbury.
The Eagles made 105 after being sent in by Aintree.
Jamie Bolger top scored with 21 from the Eagles. Pradeep Venkatesh and Vamshi Paka took four wickets each for Aintree.
Aintree lost an early wicket before steadying, getting to 1-86.
The Eagles took four quick wickets to give them some hope, but Aintree did enough to get the runs, finishing 5-106.
Vinay Kumar Sharma top scored with 45.
Spencer Connelly and Lucas Harper took two wickets each for the Eagles.
Eastern Hill beat East Sunbury in the other match, claiming its first win in the competition.
Eastern Hill made 117 as it was bowled out in the 38th over.
In the Jensen Shield, Harkness made it two from two.
Facing Wallan, Harkness recited them to just 55.
Rubal Singh took three wickets, while Gurinder Singh Grewal, Simarjeet Singh and Mandeep Singh took two wickets each.
Harkness needed less than 10 overs to get the runs, finishing 1-56.
Grewal finished 35 not out off 16 balls.
In the women’s competition, Darley and Bacchus Marsh both got wins.
Darley was too strong for Lancefield Black.
The Tigers made 4-74 from their overs with Carolyn Cusack the pick of the batters with 18.
It was all single wicket takers for the Lions.
It took the Lions just 12.4 overs to chase down the runs, finishing 1-77. Kim Bessell made 50 before retiring.
The Bulls also had a big win, beating newcomers Wallan.
Wallan made 4-82 from its 20 overs with Megan Farrell top scoring with 30.
It was single wicket takers for the Bulls.
The Bulls openers got the job done as they finished 0-83.
Ashley Gillard finished on 36 not out and Sarah Bamford made 33 not out.
Both teams are undefeated after two rounds along with Macedon and Gisborne.
Darley this week faces Kilmore and Bacchus Marsh plays Gisborne.
