By Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh’s hopes of a first Ballarat Cricket Association title were dashed on Sunday as it fell short in the T20 grand final.
Playing in their first grand final since joining the competition, the Bulls proved no match for Ballarat Redan.
Ballarat Redan batted first and made 4-167 from its overs. Sam Crea took two wickets for the Bulls.
At 3-104 the Bulls had a good platform, but the wickets started to flow. They lost 7-25 to be all out for 129.
Will Lalor top scored with 29.
Speaking before the game, Crea said the group was keen to taste some success.
“It’s really awesome,” he said. “We’ve started to put ourselves in the mix in the T20 and we’re in a good position in the normal season as well.
“We are really excited to play in the game… We’ll have some really good players playing for us and so will they.”
The Bulls made the grand final after beating Golden Point in the semi finals on Tuesday night.
Golden Point made 6-143 from its overs. Matthew Crea was the only multiple wicket taker for the Bulls with two.
The Bulls hit the winning runs with more than two overs remaining, finishing 3-144.
It was a familiar name stealing the show for the Bulls.
Victorian Premier Cricket players Jack and Daniel Lalor returned to their home club for the match.
Daniel made 45 off 37 balls, while Jack made 47 off 33 balls. Their cousin Will was also in the runs, finishing 17 not out.
Crea said having Jack and Daniel back at the club was really good for everyone involved.
He said Jack’s performance was enormous while Daniel’s innings was just as good if not better.”
“It’s massive what they can bring off the field,” he said. “The professionalism, the mannerisms.
“The younger boys get such a good opportunity to learn off them and talk about cricket.
“I’ve been part of cricket for a long time and I understand it.”
Crea said Jack and Daniel were quick to ask when the grand final would be, as they wanted to put their hands up to play.
‘I haven’t had to call them and ask them to play,” he said. “Jacob Pawlowicz and Archie Lalor have been prepared to play for us too.”
While the focus was on Sunday, the Bulls had day two of their two-day match with Golden Point first on Saturday.
Golden Point made 240 on day one.
“Last night [Tuesday] we were talking about being focused on Saturday,” Crea said before day two.
“We want to play finals. If we make 241 we potentially put ourselves in a good position to play finals.”
The Bulls did exactly that, hitting the winning runs with three overs remaining.
Bacchus Marsh finished 8-241 with Will Lalor top scoring with 88.
With three rounds remaining, the Bulls sit in second spot.
Darley slipped to seventh after not being able to defend 342 against Mt Clear. Mt Clear made 7-345.