By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh has a good test on its hands as it tries to end Gisborne’s winning run in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Playing a rematch of last year’s grand final at Maddingley Park, both skippers ended day one happy with the position they found themselves in.
Gisborne won the toss and elected to bat, making 7-284 from its 80 overs.
Bulls captain-coach James Lidgett said they would have taken that at the start of the day.
“I thought we bowled really well,” he said.
“It was a real arm-wrestle. They kept wickets in hand and I thought we bowled really tight, we just couldn’t get the breakthrough.
“It’s the best bowling we’ve done all season. I think 280 is about par and I would have taken that at the start of the day.”
Ian Spiteri took two wickets for the Bulls. Lidgett said James Bailey was the pick of the bowlers, but didn’t have much luck.
Lidgett said if they could bat well and bat out the whole 80 overs they would be in with a good shot of getting the runs.
They made 309 in their last game, and have produced some big scores the past few years.
The Bulls are looking for their third win in a row, after taking five rounds to get a win on the board.
Lidgett said getting in a full day’s cricket had made a huge difference the past few weeks and they were able to show what they could do. In the first five weeks, the Bulls had three byes.
“At the moment we’re in a good position and we’re testing ourselves out against a good side.”
Overall, there’s plenty of positives for the Bulls with all seven of their teams in the finals mix early in the season.
“Last week or the week before, all seven teams were in the top four,” Lidgett said.
PHOTO GALLERY: Bacchus Marsh vs Gisborne
“It was really pleasing from a whole club point of view. The kids are coming through nicely and it’s a good future ahead of us.”
In other McIntyre Cup matches, St Anthony’s had one of their better days of the season against Sunbury United.
The Saints made 9-262 from their overs on the back of a 135 not out from Paul Scott.
The Saints are looking for their first win of the season.
Romsey has set Diggers Rest Bulla 285 for victory after being bowled out for 284. Skipper Ben Way scored 148, with Rhys Berry taking four wickets for the Burras.
Woodend made 296 against Riddell.
The Eagles were bowled out for 291 in the 67th over. Scott Porter was the star of the show making 140.
Woodend will resume at 0-1 after facing three overs. Aintree made 241 against Sunbury. The Roar will resume at 0-18.
