By Tara Murray
Diggers Rest Bulla got a vital win to keep it in touch with the top sides in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association Johnstone Shield.
It’s been an up and down season for the Burras so far, but on Saturday a strong bowling performance guided them to victory against East Sunbury on Saturday, which had been sitting top.
Burras captain-coach Rhys Berry said the win came at the perfect time.
“We had dropped a couple of matches that we shouldn’t have,” he said. “Especially this match and next weekend we needed to win one of those games, if not two to stay in touch with the top sides.
“East Sunbury was on top, so it was a good win.”
The Thunder won the toss and decided to bat. It was quickly in trouble at 2-8.
While the Thunder was able to put together a couple of small partnerships, it lost wickets in clumps to be bowled out for 120 in the 39th over.
Alec Nichols top scored with 22 for the Thunder.
Berry, who took 4-24 off his seven overs to be the pick of the bowlers, said they were happy with the bowling performance.
“We took a couple of early wickets,” he said. “We bowled well, but they didn’t take many risks and dug themselves into a hole.”
At 1-67, the Burras were on track for an easy win before the wickets started to fall.
They managed to just get home, finishing 8-121.
Berry said there were a few nervous moments.
“We lost a few wickets and it got a little bit scary,” he said. “We needed five to win and Nathan [Anderson] came out and hit a six [second ball] to get the win.
“There was a bit of carry on.”
Bradley Fleming top scored with 35 for the Burras, while Lachie Wilkins took three wickets for the Thunder.
The win moves the Burras to fourth on the table. The Thunder have slipped from first to second.
Berry said his group still has their best cricket ahead of them.
“I don’t think we’ve had the same side two weeks in a row,” he said. “Hopefully we get some consistency in the second half of the year.”
The Burras face Kilmore in a one-dayer this Saturday. The first time they played, the Burras won a thriller.
“Their ground I think is turf,” Berry said. “It will be a good challenge.
“Hopefully we can get the win and set ourselves up for the second half of the year.”
The Thunder is on the road against Aintree this Saturday. Aintree had a bye on the weekend.
In other results on Saturday, Wallan moved to the top of the ladder with a win against Kilmore.
Wallan made 6-168 before Kilmore was bowled out for 164 in a thriller.
Eastern Hill had a big win against Eynesbury.
