Diggers Rest Bulla’s batsmen have finally found some form and put it on the scoreboard in a big way in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Batting has been the Burras’ weak point so far this season – they have struggled to post decent scores and have lost two games in the process.
On Saturday, the Burras had a different look about them as they took on Riddell in their first two-day match of the season.
The Burras made a massive 324.
Burras playing coach Kevin Barker said it was good to see the hard work the players had been putting in with the bat paying off.
“It was really nice to get a score like that,” he said. “We had been putting in the hard work, but not produced the scores we had wanted to. The first few rounds haven’t been great and we know batting hasn’t been our strength at the club.”
Off-season recruit Steven Fogarty was the star of the day, making 99.
Barker said Fogarty was making up for lost time after a pre-season interrupted by football commitments.
Barker said it was cracking ball from Riddell’s Matthew Livingstone that removed Fogarty a single short of a century.
“We were all shattered for him when he want out,” Barker said.
“It’s now something he can build on … next time it’ll give him more motivation to get the century.”
Barker was the next best of the batsmen making 51, with seven players making 22 or more. Barker said having multiple contributors was something the Burras were continuing to work on.
“You need to have one player get a big score and everyone else contribute,” he said.
“Usually, we have one guy contribute.”
Heath Wadden took three wickets for Riddell.
Barker said the job was only half done in the match against Riddell, especially considering the power of the opposition’s batting order.
Bombers skipper Mick Allen has scored two centuries in three matches.
“They’re a really good side,” Barker said. “If we can knock off a team like them early on, it would be really good.”
In other matches, Bacchus Marsh is on track for victory against Sunbury.
The Bulls bowled Sunbury out for 118, with Madushanka Ekanayaka taking 4-36.
In reply, the Bulls were 2-59 at stumps. Peter Lalor made 39.
A Michael Treweek century guided Rupertswood to 8-241 against Romsey. Treweek made 102 at the top of the order to help his side post a competitive total.
Warren Else enjoyed his time in the middle for Woodend, making 116 against Gisborne. Woodend posted 7-259 from its overs.
