Diggers Rest Bulla has been left to rue a middle-order collapse against Sunbury in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
The Burras were cruising at 3-125, yet that hard work was wasted when they went on to lose 7-44 to be all out for 169.
Burras playing coach Rasika Batepola said the collapse was all of their own doing and the players were bitterly disappointed after the day’s play.
“It was our bad batting,” he said. “They didn’t look like getting us out. We got ourselves out, which we can’t be doing at this level.
“We spoke after play and took the blame for our batting. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen again.”
Batepola top-scored for the Burras with 40, while Sumanjan Fernando made 36. Six other players reached double figures, but no one was able to go on with it.
Brad Hunter was the best bowler for Sunbury, taking seven wickets.
With bowling the Burras’ strength, Batepola said they were still confident of getting the win.
“On our ground 170 is about 210 to 220, as it’s not a fast ground,” he said.
“Early wickets are the key. We need to get their captain [Dylan Wright] out as he is the man making the runs at the moment.”
A win is vital for the Burras in their bid to remain in finals contention.
The coach is hoping a win against Sunbury and then getting the points against Romsey in the final round before Christmas will improve the Burras’ record to 3-3 heading into the break.
He said they were hoping to have close to a full side for the rest of the season after struggles with player availability.
“Until this week, we’ve had about 60 per cent of our side available each week,” Batepola said. “This week we had 90 per cent available, which has made it a bit better.”
Bacchus Marsh conceded its biggest score of the season against Gisborne.
The Dragons made 230 on the back of an unbeaten 143 from Darren Ward.
Madushanka Ekanayaka, Rhys Watson and Ian Spiteri took three wickets each for the Bulls.
Riddell has a slight advantage against Lancefield after day one. The Bombers made 154 before Matthew Livingstone took four wickets to have the Tigers in trouble at 4-18.
Rupertswood produced its best batting performance of the season, making 244 against Woodend. Romsey made 7-266 against Sunbury United in the other game.
In B grade, St Anthonys and Eynesbury had contrasting days.
The Saints made their fourth straight score of more than 295, this time against Kyneton. Led by a century to Paul Scott, the Saints made 9-366.
The Eagles conceded a second straight 300 plus score, with Wallan making 375.
