Tara Murray
Bacchus Marsh has ended Sunbury United’s unbeaten run in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
The team to beat this season, United fell short in its qualifying final against Bacchus Marsh on Saturday.
The two teams were set to meet in the final round of the season, but the match was washed off.
On Saturday, the Bulls made 6-196 from their overs, with the fourth wicket partnership between Thomas Wardell and David Dickinson the key.
Wardell made 88 not out off 90 balls, with four fours and three sixes.
United shared the wickets around with Rajitha Mendis, Zach Forster and Cooper Boyes taking two wickets each.
At 5-61, United had a lot of work ahead of themselves. They were able to push the game deep, but fell short making 9-186.
Senura Perera top scored with 37. Josh Calvitto took four wickets for the Bulls.
It wasn’t all bad news for United, which has a double chance.
The Bulls will face Romsey and United will play Gisborne this Saturday, with grand final spots on the line.
Romsey and Gisborne won through to the preliminary finals with convincing wins against Wallan and Diggers Rest Bulla respectively.
Romsey bowled Wallan out for just 89. Only two batters for the Magpies reached double figures with Ryan Bonner top scoring with 24.
Taylor Stevenson was the pick of the bowlers with 3-14 off six overs.
Despite losing Stevenson for a duck, Romsey had no troubles in chasing down the needed runs.
Romsey finished 1-90 in the 24th over. Chris Burkett top scored with 57 not out.
It was a similar story in the Gisborne and Diggers Rest Bulla match.
The Burras were bowled out for just 98. Nalaka De Silva was the only batter to reach double figures, making 48.
The opening bowling partnership did most of the damage.
Joshua McDonald took 5-14 off 8.2 overs, while Jay King took 3-9 off nine overs.
The Dragons openers made light work on the chase, finishing 0-99 in 17.1 overs. Mick Allen finished 66 not out off 49 balls.
Meanwhile in the Johnstone Shield, Macedon defeated Bacchus Marsh in the top two battle.
The Bulls were bowled out for 127 with one ball remaining. Connor Ascough top scored with 33 at the top of the order. Tim Berzins took three wickets for the Cats.
After losing a couple of early wickets, the Cats steadied and hit the winning runs with more than six overs remaining.
The Cats finished 5-129. Berzins was the star making 73 not out.
The Bulls have a second change and will face Romsey in the semi finals.
Romsey defeated Riddell in their semi final. Romsey made 4-184 with Corey Day top scoring with 75 not out.
The match went down to the final ball, with Romsey holding on to win by one run.
The Bombers finished 9-183. Harry Fisher top scored with 49.
In the other knock out final, Aintree was too strong for Gisborne.
Aintree made 7-276 with Mohan Singh making 114. A century from Aiden Beard wasn’t enough with the Dragons finishing 9-204.
