Bacchus Marsh moved into the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup top four at the weekend – but only for 24 hours.
In a busy weekend for the Bulls, they played day two of their match against Gisborne on Saturday and then a one-day match against Riddell on Sunday.
On Saturday, the Bulls pulled off arguably their best win of the season by beating fellow finals contender Gisborne.
The Bulls had made 189 on day one, Alex Porter top scoring with 62.
The match went down to the wire, with the Dragons losing their last three wickets for five runs to be bowled out for 185.
Madushanka Ekanayaka was the pick of the bowlers with 4-35.
The result moved the Bulls ahead of the Dragons into fourth spot.
On Sunday, the Bulls faced Riddell, the form team of the competition. Batting first, the Bulls made 9-137 from their overs, with opener Mili Sepala top scoring with 41.
The Bulls got the early wickets they needed, snaring Brendan Alger and danger man Mick Allen.
But the Bombers then settled and easily chased down the target, finishing on 4-141 with more than nine overs to spare.
The loss coupled with wins to the Dragons and Woodend meant the Bulls slipped to sixth.
Less than nine points separates the top six teams, with just under five points separating third to sixth.
Diggers Rest Bulla is also out of the top four after a mixed weekend.
The Burras finished the job on Saturday against Rupertswood.
Resuming at 2-61 and chasing 125, the Burras made the runs easily, being bowled out for 170.
Andrew Knight top scored with 46.
Rupertswood made 2-101 in its second innings.
On Sunday Woodend presented a much tougher challenge for the Burras. Both sides are fighting to make finals.
The Burras made 5-141 from their overs, with Steven Fogarty the standout with 66.
Woodend lost frequent wickets throughout its innings and was 8-130 when still needing 12 to win. But the Burras couldn’t get the breakthrough, with Woodend finishing 8-142.
Skipper Rhys Berry was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-14 off eight overs, including four maidens.
The loss leaves the Burras in fifth spot, 2.48 points outside the top four.
Both the Bulls and Burras have tough matches in the coming round – they face Woodend and Sunbury respectively.
