MELTON & MOORABOOL
Home » Sport » Runs galore for Diggers Rest Bulla

Runs galore for Diggers Rest Bulla

The runs continue to flow for Diggers Rest Bulla in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association McIntyre Cup.

Coming off 4-450 in their last game, the Burras were on track for another 400-plus score against Riddell on Saturday had they batted out their overs.

Burras playing coach Ras Batepola said there was plenty of confidence in the changerooms.

“They are having a purple patch,” he said.

“Everyone is clicking in the batting order. We are confident with our batting line-up, we can chase anything up to 300 and we’ve never had that in our changeroom.

“Big boy [Indika Massalage] getting a double hundred has helped everyone and gives everyone confidence to work hard in the nets.

“Everyone has got the talent to score 100s, they are now doing it.”

The Burras resumed at 0-28 in reply to Riddell’s 236. Despite losing an early wicket, the Burras were never in trouble.

When Raveen Yasas and Kevin Barker come together for the third wicket partnership, the two put the game beyond doubt.

They put on 131 together, to take the side to within 19 runs of victory.

The Burras got the runs not long after.

Diggers Rest Bulla
Diggers Rest Bulla’s Sumanjan Fernando. (Shawn Smits)

PHOTO GALLERY: Diggers Rest Bulla vs Riddell

They would go on to make 6-337 off 60 overs.

Batepola said had they batted out the overs they would have likely scored 400-plus again.

Yasas made 104, his best score for the Burras in his two years at the club.

Batepola said Yasas was starting to show what he can really do.

“He is a really good person and it’s taken some time for him coming from turf to synthetic. He’s a good player and it looks like he’s going to score plenty of runs.”

Barker also had a good day scoring 70, coming off a century in the second XI the previous round.

Batepola said Barker played in the second XI due to not being able to play both weeks of the two-day game.

It was a similar situation for Batepola this round. He made 112 for the second XI on Saturday.

“It’s good to spend some time in the middle,” Batepola said of the situation.

“It always helps to come back into the top grade.”

The win leaves the Burras undefeated and sitting in second spot behind Gisborne.

Batepola said they had been happy with the first part of the season.

“It’s where we want to be with two games before the Christmas break,” he said.

“Hopefully we can finish the year off in good form.”

In other results, Bacchus Marsh just held on to record victory against Romsey.

Defending 8-309, the chase went down to the wire, with Romsey bowled out for 298.

St Anthony’s suffered another loss after Woodend piled on the runs. Woodend made 8-338 in reply to the Saints’ 242.

Gisborne remains undefeated after beating Sunbury United.

In the Jensen Shield, Eynesbury lost to Diggers Rest Bulla. The Burras finished 6-277 in reply to the Eagles’ 265.

Digital Editions


  • NFL coming to Melbourne

    NFL coming to Melbourne

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 178232 The National Football League has confirmed that the San Francisco 49ers will play the Los Angeles Rams at…

More News

  • Support Sweethearts for HeartKids

    Support Sweethearts for HeartKids

    Every day in Australia, eight babies are born with a childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD), and this February HeartKids is calling on Australians to help support these children and their families…

  • ‘Too long’: green light for more GPs to tackle ADHD

    ‘Too long’: green light for more GPs to tackle ADHD

    Australians will soon find it much simpler to be diagnosed and treated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Victoria has joined a growing list of states to give the green light…

  • Walk to Work Day coming

    Walk to Work Day coming

    The Pedestrian Council of Australia has announced a new initiative for Walk to Work Day, partnering with the Black Dog Institute to spotlight the mental health benefits of walking. The…

  • Cancer researchers supported

    Cancer researchers supported

    The next generation of cancer research leaders are being supported through a four-year cancer research fellowship program, supported by the state government. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas has announced the inaugural…

  • Employers fined millions for safety breaches

    Employers fined millions for safety breaches

    Victorian employers were fined more than $17 million for unsafe work in 2025. The total of $17,391,325 in fines, costs and undertakings for breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety…

  • Stewart takes out Deeble

    Stewart takes out Deeble

    Don Deeble winner for 2025 Jobe Stewart was left speechless on Wednesday night as he was awarded the honour. Stewart was the last of 10 monthly winners nominated for the…

  • What your federal MPs are talking about

    What your federal MPs are talking about

    Federal politicians are used to the public and pundits scrutinising their every word, but now AI has joined the long list of watchdogs keeping tabs on our elected officials in…

  • Melton’s priorities

    Melton’s priorities

    Melton’s council is calling for a whole-of-government partnership approach to help meet the demand of its rapidly growing community, unveiling its latest advocacy priorities on Friday 30 January. The priorities…

  • Melton’s big night of racing

    Melton’s big night of racing

    Families, racing fans and entertainment lovers alike are being urged to get on track for one of Melton’s biggest nights of the year, with a chance to win a brand…

  • Bushfire deemed suspicious

    Bushfire deemed suspicious

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 206998 Police are investigating a bushfire in Lerderderg on 3 February. Emergency services responded to reports of the blaze near O’Brien’s Crossing about 7pm.…