Bacchus Marsh showed it meant business against an undermanned Woodend side in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup on Saturday.
In the battle between second and third, it was the undefeated Bulls who came out on top.
The Bulls bowled Woodend out for 62 in a stunning performance.
Woodend was missing three key batsmen, but Bulls captain coach Ben Robertson said it wouldn’t have made much difference.
“Everything went out way,” he said.
“I don’t think it would have mattered with who we were playing with the way Eka [Madushanka Ekanayaka] was bowling.
“That’s the best fast bowling spell I’ve seen in my time in cricket. He’s building into the season and bowling nicely.”
Ekanayaka claimed 7-28, as the Bulls needed just three bowlers to get the job done.
The Bulls changed their batting order to give some of the lower order guys a hit.
Robertson said they had been looking to give other players a chance with the bat for a number of weeks.
“With the way Eka bowled we decided to give him a go at number three. We’re been wanting to do that, but it hadn’t happened.
“Daniel Lalor is 14 or 15 and he doesn’t look out of place in the McIntyre Cup. He was playing impressively before he was run out.”
They lost two wickets on their way to claim first-innings points and will resume at 3-168. James Lidgett is 97 not out.
Robertson said Lidgett, who carried a leg injury into the game, looked a class above.
With first innings points on the board, the Bulls could quite easily look for an outright win. Robertson said the weather would play a part in that, with temperatures predicted to be in the high 30s.
“We have options available,” he said.
“It’s meant to be pretty hot and we’re not sure we want to send them back in and have to bowl.
“When we bowled them out for 62, the first aim was to get first innings points with the forecast showing 39 degrees.”
Sitting second and undefeated, Robertson said they weren’t content with just settling for second spot. The Bulls face top side Riddell in the coming weeks.
“We want to finish on top,” he said.
“The Riddell game will see whoever wins finish on top, barring other results. It’s a good challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it.”
Diggers Rest Bulla will need a good day with the bat if it is to get the job done against Gisborne.
The Dragons made 9-331.
Rasika Batepola and Ravin De Silva took three wickets each for the Burras.
In B grade, St Anthonys had a day out with the bat in making 7-427 against Gisborne.
Paul Scott and Cam Clayton both made centuries. It was Scott’s second century for the season.
Eynesbury is 0-14 in reply to Bacchus Marsh’s 213. Luke Castle took four wickets for the Eagles.
