Bacchus Marsh is one win away from a perfect season in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s McIntyre Cup.
Having dominated the regular season, the Bulls weren’t at their best against Romsey in their semi-final, but still did enough to seal a grand final spot.
Facing Romsey for a second straight match, the Bulls got off to the perfect start by claiming the key wickets of Chris Burkett and Ben Way before the total reached double figures.
At 8-136, it was looking good for the Bulls before they let Romsey back into game. Romsey went on to make 200.
Bulls captain-coach Ben Robertson said it was disappointing to allow them to get the extra runs.
“I thought 200 was definitely competitive on this ground if you bat all the overs,” he said. “It was runs on the board and a competitive total.
“We let them make 200 … we didn’t have the best day with the ball – we were good early on and them let them off the hook.
“We bowled short to them and went away from what we’ve done all year. We will learn from it next week.”
Madushanka Ekanayaka was the best of the bowlers with three wickets.
Robertson said the Bulls, with their long batting line-up, were always confident of getting the runs.
Ian Spiteri, who has opened the batting at times this season, was down to come in at No.9. The Bulls didn’t need him, as they got the job done five wickets down, finishing 5-201.
James Lidgett top-scored with 76 before being run out, while Alex Porter made 52 not out.
Robertson said he was running out of words to describe the role Lidgett has played this season. Lidgett has made five scores of 70-plus, including three in his past four innings.
“He finds a way to get the job done,” Roberston said. “This was a little bit of a different innings from him – it was more about occupying the crease.”
The side is through to it’s first McIntyre Cup grand final since 2009-10 when they lost to Sunbury United.
Its last first XI premiership was in 2007-08.
The Bulls will face Woodend, which defeated Riddell in the other semi-final.
The Bulls won the only match this season between the two sides.
Robertson said there were some pretty excited people around the club.
“It will be a challenge for us,” he said. “Last time we played against them, they had a few guys out … it’ll be a totally different game. It is a grand final and we’re excited for it.”
