By Tara Murray
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.
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.
