Diggers Rest Bulla’s batting woes have returned – consequently it has a fight on its hands for victory against Bacchus Marsh in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.
Having put in their best batting performance in their previous game, against Riddell, the Burras were left to rue too many starts and no one going on with it on Saturday.
Seven batsmen reached double figures for the Burras, but not one passed 40 in the team’s total of 154.
Michael Sammut was the best with the bat, making 38.
Burras playing coach Kevin Barker said the performance showed the side still has a lot of work to do with the bat.
“It was really frustrating,” he said. “We had times where we would get a partnership, then we would let them back into the game, losing a clump of wickets.
“There was six or seven guys who got starts, but not one player went on. It’s especially frustrating as we thought last round might be the catalyst for more consistent performances with the bat.
“We weren’t overly happy with our batting, but we also have to give them credit for the job they did.”
All seven of the Bulls’ bowlers took wickets, with three players taking two each.
In reply, the Bulls, who are the form team of the competition, will resume at 1-18.
Drew Closter fell for a duck off the first ball of the innings.
Barker said the Burras needed to follow the example set by the Bulls on day one if they are to win.
“Their ground fielding was really good,” he said. “They restricted the run rate, which forced wickets.
“When we went out to bowl, we were just looking to restrict their runs, hoping we could be in an even position – and 1-20 is about that. Three wickets would have been a bonus if we could have got them.”
In other matches, Gisborne produced its best form of the season early against Riddell to take first-innings points.
The opening spells of acting captain Jay King and Darcy Nolan destroyed the Bombers’ top order, leaving them scrambling at 6-26.
Despite a middle-order comeback from Matthew Darby (39) and Cameron Moran (42), once Darby was removed, the Bombers were quickly bowled out for 117.
Gisborne finished day one at 4-134.
A 91 from Woodend’s Warren Else set up his side’s score of 9-286 against Rupertswood.
Sunbury is in trouble at 4-43 chasing Romsey’s 139. Aaron Paterson took two of the four wickets for Romsey.
