After four frustrating weeks, Darley finally took to the pitch in this Ballarat Cricket Association season … and made the most of it.
With rain stopping play the first four weeks, players were itching to get on the field.
Taking on reigning premiers Golden Point, Darley put in a team performance to get across the line.
Darley coach Heath Pritchard said players were glad to finally put their training to the test.
Adding to frustration levels, Darley’s ground has been in good nick and could have been used, if not for wash-outs called by the association.
“To beat the reigning premiers is a great start to the season,” Pritchard said.
“That’s the most pleasing thing, as last time we played them, they won by eight runs, knocking us out of the finals.”
Batting first, Golden Point made 134, with five Darley players taking wickets, including three to Sajith Rupasingha.
In reply, Darley made 6-135. Hasitha Wickramasinghe top-scored with 31.
Pritchard said, pleasingly, there had been even contributions across the board.
“It was consistent across the board, which we need to be, if we are to close the gap. We had seven or eight players contribute in some significance, and were not relying on one or two players.
