By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh’s batsmen had another day out in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup Premier Firsts.
Ladder leader Bulls never looked in trouble with the bat as they piled on the runs to easily beat Romsey.
Romsey set the Bulls 205 for victory.
Bulls captain-coach James Lidgett was confident they could match the target, which they did with ease, finishing 4-324.
“With runs on the board, there is a little bit of pressure,” he said.
“We thought one or two partnerships that we would be right.”
However, it was one partnership that ended up doing most of the damage.
Lidgett teamed up with opener Alex Porter, and not for the first time this season put the result beyond doubt.
The two made 170 for the second wicket and Porter scored his first McIntyre Cup 100, making 102.
“Alex is good to bat with,” Lidgett said.
“We’ve had a couple of good partnerships and we feed off each other.
“He’s coming along nicely this year and has gotten a little bit smarter and is making heaps of runs.
“I couldn’t be prouder, he trains as hard as anyone.”
While Porter managed to break through for his first McIntyre century, Lidgett fell short of his second of the season.
He fell for 95 and said he didn’t realise how close he was to the 100. “I threw it away,” he said. “I suppose you can’t be too down making 95.
“I’m more happy to get the win. I was disappointed not to be out there when we won. I went out with about 10 runs needed.”
Daniel Lalor (58 not out) and Dennis O’Loughlin (32 not out) continued where Lidgett left off. He said Lalor showed he could tee off when required, giving Lidgett a few ways to use the young batsman as needed.
Lidgett said the most pleasing thing about the win was how they responded when challenged on the first day.
“They were very competitive and it was a good challenge last week,” he said. “I was happy that we kept fighting and we didn’t go down in the dumps when they got on top.
Photo Gallery: Bacchus Marsh vs Romsey
“It’s going to happen in finals and it’s a good thing for us.
“I want to be challenged.”
The win keeps the Bulls undefeated and sitting on top.
The Bulls face second-placed Gisborne in a two-dayer and then Woodend in a T20 match before the Christmas break.
“We want to keep playing good cricket,” Lidgett said. “We want to play cricket like we would in finals.”
Diggers Rest had a crucial win in the fight for a finals spot.
The Burras kept Sunbury to 107, well short of the 245 the Burras made on day one.
Gisborne and Woodend were the other winners.
In the Johnstone Shield, Bacchus Marsh beat East Sunbury, St Anthonys got across the line in a high scoring game against Gisborne, Eynesbury Eagles avoided an outright loss against Ashfield and Rupertswood beat Riddell.
