A hard-fought 75 from Kieran Atkin was the backbone of a slow day for Bacchus Marsh as it ground its way to 184 in a crucial Gisborne District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup clash with Sunbury United on Saturday.
With the two sides virtually assured of finals action, the match loomed as a great tune-up for March action and was played in suitable finals-like fashion at Langama Park.
PICTURE GALLERY: Bacchus Marsh v Sunbury United
The pitch was a bit two-paced and the outfield was slow, making scoring difficult for Bacchus Marsh after it won the toss and batted.
The Marsh was in trouble early when Tom McColl (7) had his stumps rattled to make it 1-8.
Bacchus Marsh skipper Scott Wakefield joined Peter Lalor and the pair started to rebuild the innings before both fell after getting starts.
That’s become a worrying theme for Bacchus Marsh in recent weeks, with plenty of batsmen getting themselves into an innings and then getting out without making the most of good starts.
Fortunately for the visitors, Atkin looked good from the moment he reached the crease, with he and Justin Macdonald working themselves back into the game.
Macdonald fell for 30, and two more quick wickets to Sunbury United had Bacchus Marsh on the precipice at 6-111. But Atkin held firm, passing 50 and continuing to frustrate the bowling attack with his solid defence.
He was eventually out for a crucial 75, while handy contributions came from tailenders Andrew Dickinson (11) and Rhys Watson (10).
Bacchus Marsh was all out in the penultimate over of the day for 184. Wakefield thought the total was about par on a slow ground, but he knew his side could do better.
“We could have batted better, but we scratched our way to 184, which is probably a competitive total,” he said.
“They bowled well and it was really hard to score, but it’s a bit annoying to have only one batsman go on to get a score. Kieran batted really well.”
With one game to play before the finals, Wakefield is conscious of the need to build some good form.
“We’ve just got to keep winning and take that form into the finals,” he said.
“We’ve been bowling well so I’m confident we can knock over United for under 180.”
