Diggers Rest Bulla is one win away from its first Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup premiership.
In their first season back in the top division, the Burras have surpassed most expectations by making it through to the final game of the season, in which they will play Gisborne.
Burras playing coach Kevin Barker said he and his players were about much more than making up the numbers in the finals.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said after the semi-final win against Woodend.
“We’re pretty rapt. Maybe everyone else thought we would just look to stay up but we were there to make finals. It’s anyone’s game in finals and we believe in ourselves.”
At the weekend against Woodend, which finished the season on top of the ladder, the Burras made 192.
Blake Robinson made 55 and Barker chipped in with 31.
The lower order ensured the Burras pushed towards 200 after the side had earlier looked to be in trouble.
In reply, Woodend looked to be going well at 3-91. But from there, it lost wickets frequently to be all out for 164. Josh Eastley top-scored with 62.
“I think both sides bowled well,” Barker said. “And there were run-outs in both innings. I think finals pressure got to both sides. We were pretty confident [that] as long as we bowled well, we could be a chance. We didn’t catch as well as we would have liked.
“We created enough chances. There was at least seven clear chances we dropped. Including half chances – we dropped about 10.”
Lindon Dowsett took three wickets and Rhys Berry, Darren Quarrell and Barker took two each.
Even though they are looking for their first top-grade premiership, no one will underestimate the Burras, who are big-time performers.
This grand final will be the fourth straight for the team.
The first of those came in 2012-13 when the Burras won the C-grade premiership. After losing the B-grade grand final to Gisborne in 2013-14, they won the B-grade flag last season.
“We’ve had a lot of finals success and there’s a lot of belief in the boys,” Barker said.
He said the side was ready for the challenge of playing Gisborne, which beat the Burras in the last round of the regular season.
“It’s an amazing time for the guys and the key is to enjoy the week,” he said.
“I’m proud so far of the boys but you don’t make grand finals to lose them. We have intentions to win it.
“Hopefully, the boys are up for the challenge.”
