Bacchus Marsh narrowly missed out on an outright win against Wallan in round six of their Gisborne District Cricket Association match on Saturday.
After cruising to first innings points on day one of the Greenhill Oval clash, Bacchus Marsh declared on its overnight score of 3-151, giving it a 75-run lead.
Having been bowled out for just 76 the first time it batted, Wallan showed much greater resolve the second time around.
Despite losing two early wickets, Wallan fought back to erase the deficit thanks to a brilliant century from captain Todd Keenan.
The middle-order batsman blasted 124 in an innings that included 17 fours and three sixes.
He was well supported by Scott Gilchrist and Russell Humphrey, who made 21 and 20 respectively, helping to push the score beyond 200.
But the Bulls’ bowlers continued to chip away, eventually securing the 10 wickets required with the score at 225.
Rhys Watson backed up from his three wickets in the first innings to add another three victims to his total, while David Dickinson and Cameron McKinley claimed two each.
That left Bacchus Marsh needing 151 from 21 overs for outright victory.
The Bulls gave the target a fair shake with McKinley leading the way at the top of the order.
He smashed 61 while captain Kieran Atkin made 25.
But the run rate required proved too great and the Bacchus Marsh innings came to a close at 5-121.
Despite missing the outright, the Bulls still secured six points and improved to a 3-3 season’s record. This weekend, they take on Gisborne.
In second grade, Bacchus Marsh came up well short against St Anthonys.
After being set 276 for victory, Bacchus Marsh made the perfect start with a 50-run opening stand by Ryan Tronson and Ian Spiteri.
But once that partnership was broken the advantage was handed back to St Anthonys and wickets began to tumble at regular intervals. The Bulls were eventually bowled out for 170 in the 43rd over.
