By Tara Murray
It’s starting to come together for Bacchus Marsh in the Ballarat Cricket Association.
With a new coach and a number of new players, the Bulls have had to learn how to play together.
They are now starting to put it together according to coach Sam Crea.
“We knew it would take some time,” he said. “We’re building but we’re not playing how we want to but still finding ways to win.
“We’re not playing our best but we are improving. We’re staying in games which is good for the club.
“We’ve been chatting about where we want to be before Christmas.”
On Saturday, the Bulls faced Brown Hill in a one-dayer at Maddingley Park.
After deciding to bat, Brown Hill made 6-232 off 48 overs.
Crea said they would have taken that at the start of the day.
“We bowled well,” he said. “It was probably a little bit over par, but they are a good batting side.
“Akila Lakshan batted really well and made 97 and we were lucky to get him out when we did.
“He looked like he would have gone to the next level and it could have been a really large total.”
Crea took three wickets for the Bulls, while Angus Jones took two.
The Bulls were in trouble early in the run chase at 4-42.
The middle order was able to steady and guide the side to victory, finishing 7-234 in the 46th over.
Crea said they focused on getting some partnerships together.
“We got to work and tried to get some partnerships in the middle and lower order,” he said.
“They achieved what we had to achieve. It was fantastic for the club and I’m rapt.
“Ëveryone is playing for each other at the moment.”
Shanin Silva top scored with 84, while Joshua McGrath finished 43 not out as he got them home.
The win moves the Bulls to fourth on the ladder.
Crea said with the top of the table so close every match was really important.
“There’s a lot of sides on 27 points,” he said. “We’ve got two really important games against East Ballarat and Darley.
“Ëast Ballarat is just below us and Darley is around us. It’s a tight competition and everything means something.
The Bulls good form has continued in the T20 competition having made the finals.
The club has been able to get back some of their former players who have gone on to play Victorian Premier Cricket.
Crea said they were asking to play which was really exciting for the club.
In other matches on Saturday, Darley beat Napoleons Sebastopol.
The Lions made 145 Nathan Yates top scored with 21.
The Lions bowlers got the job done and bowled Napoleons Sebastopol out for 90.
The Lions sit second on the ladder.
