The pressure has been released and Bacchus Marsh is starting to thrive in the Ballarat Cricket Association.
The reigning premiers have found themselves behind the eight ball after a slow start to the season.
The Bulls need everything to go right if it’s a chance to play finals and look to go back-to-back.
After 10 rounds, the Bulls sit in eighth spot, 18 points outside the top four.
Bulls’ captain Alex Porter said they were just focusing on their game and going from there.
“There’s still plenty to do,” he said.
“It’s probably released the pressure for us [not being up the top]. We’re taking each week as it comes as we face some quality teams in the next three to four weeks.
“We’ll stick to what we are about and hopefully upset a few teams and see what happens at the end of the year.”
The Bulls started the new year with a win and backed it up on day one of their clash with East Ballarat on Saturday.
The Bulls were bowled out for 226 on day one after winning the toss and deciding to bat.
Porter said they had been building towards performances like on Saturday and hoped they would continue for the rest of the season.
“The last three to four weeks we’ve been better with our batting,” he said. “We’ve been trying to do the work early on and have the results go our way.
“We’ve honed in on a few things and Sam [Crea] as coach is doing plenty of work.
“We’ve looked to be more specific with our plans and it’s stepped up.”
Shanin Silva was the man of the moment as he scored 103 not out for the Bulls. It’s his first 100 for the club.
“We were about 7-163,” said Porter, who made 66 himself.
“Shanin was brilliant. It’s his first 100 on turf which was awesome.
“He’s been a big part of what we have done over the last year. He’s a fantastic player and has done a lot of work.
“He hadn’t played a lot of turf when he came to the club. He got the 100 and it was loved by everybody.”
East Ballarat had to face four overs at the end of the day one.
It will resume on day two at 1-19.
“It was nice to get that reward,” Porter said. “We’ll see what we can do to get the other nine with about 210.
“They are a quality batting team and see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Darley has work to do in its match against ladder leaders Mt Clear.
The Lions were bowled out for 176 after deciding to bat.
Jarrod Burns top scored with 78 for the Lions.
Mt Clear will resume at 0-30 on day two after getting through unscathed.
The Lions currently sit in third spot, one of three teams on 36 points.
